Champions Hockey League - Group F

15 Aug 2014 | Luis Lopes

Today we present you the group F of the Champions Hockey League: HC Bolzano, Linköping HC, HC Padurbice and TPS Turku

HC Bolzano

The "Austrian"(yes you read it right) champions will play this group as outsiders. But they won't give without a fight against the three sharks of group F. In defense, Matt Tomassoni(to Kassel Huskies) and Sebastien Piché(to EHC Linz), were replaced by John Lee(fromSan Antonio Rampage), Richie Crowley(from Briaçon) and Roland Hofer(from Peliitat). For the forward position it still difficult to make an idea about the version 14/15. Only Paul Zanette(from Asiago) is a confirmed sign, against the departures from Kim Strömberg(to Klagenfurt), MacGregor Sharp(to Schwenninger), Mark Santorelli(to Villach SV), Trent Whitfield(retired) and Angelo Esposito(to Fort Wayne Komets).

Linköping HC

Some important changes for this years Linköping version. In the end thanks to the young farm players Swedish clubs always managed to stay competitive, and we believe this year is no exception for Linköping. Between the pipes Engstrand was replaced by David Rautio(from Lülea). In defense Jesper Pettersson leaves for the Philadelphia Flyers. The forward position has some important changes: Eric Himelfarb(to Leksand), Joachim Rodhin(to Färjestad), Simon Hjalmarsson(to Blue Jackets), Pär Alrbrandt(to Biel) were replaced by Broc Little and Nichlas Hardt(from Jokerit), Jeff Taffe(from Hershey Bears) and Jacob Micflikier(from Lugano).

HC Pardubice

As most Czech Republic teams the main target is the next champions league phase and for HC Pardubice is no exception. Between the pipes Julius Hubacek(to örebro) are replaced Tomas Halasz(from Olomouc) and Robert Kristan(from HK Nitra). Top scorer Tomas Nosek sign a contrat with the Detroit Red Wings and is replaced by Thomas Marcinko(HC Kosice). Two historical Pardubice players return home Petr Kaslava(from Serverstal) and Libor Pivko(from Kometa Brno).

TPS Turku

There is no other way to write it, 13/14 saison was horrific. To this historical club the last four seasons are to forget. Fast. And there's no doubt that they are stronger. In the cage Fredrik Norrena(retires) is replaced by Teemu Lassila(from Växjö Lakers. In defense the only loss is Shaone Morrisonn(to Zagreb) and he's replaced by hometwon legend Petr Nummelin(from Lukko), Simon Gysbers(from Ilves) and Jakub Nakladal(from Lev Praha). Captain Tapio Laakso lives for Ilves and Camilo Miettinen(to Oskarshamm). They are replaced by Ryan Lasch(from Växjö Lakers), Radek Smolenak(from Yugra), Ikka Pikkarainen(from Pelicans) and Lauri Tukkonen(from Lukko).