Red Bull Salzburg begin their tenth Champions Hockey League campaign full of confidence after once again dominating the ICE Hockey League. The Austrian champions lifted their fourth consecutive national title and reached the CHL Quarter-Finals in 2024/25, underlining their status as one of Europe’s most consistent performers.

Head Coach Manny Viveiros oversees a side with both experience and flair, guided by long-time leader Thomas Raffl. Austrian international Benjamin Nissner has emerged as a constant scoring threat, while the addition of veteran Michael Raffl adds further quality. Between the pipes, Atte Tolvanen remains a reliable last line of defence and a proven big-game performer.

GKS Tychy arrive in Salzburg as the Polish champions, ready to embrace the challenge of their third CHL appearance. They secured their place in the competition by winning their sixth national crown in 2025, continuing to establish themselves as the dominant force in Polish hockey.

Mostly unknown to their competitors, they will not be underestimated, as fellow Polish team Unia Oświęcim proved to be a difficult opponent last season. Captain Filip Komorski provides calm leadership, while Alan Łyszczarczyk brings creativity up front. The attacking responsibilities will also fall on Rasmus Heljanko, last season’s top scorer, supported by new signings Hannu Kuru and Juuso Walli.

This encounter sets up an exciting contest between one of the CHL’s most seasoned contenders and an ambitious underdog ready to make its mark on the European stage. Salzburg will look to confirm their status as a regular title challenger, while Tychy enter determined to prove that Polish hockey can compete with Europe’s best.