Champions Hockey League

Donbass Donet’sk will play in the Champions League

The Board of the Hockey Champions League decided to allocate a wild card for the champion of Ukraine Donbas Donet'sk.

The Ukrainian champion will play home matches of the most prestigious European tournament on the ice of the Kiev Sports Palace.

Since Donbass will not be able to take part in the Continental Cup, its place in the tournament will be taken by the vice-champion of Ukraine Sokil Kyiv

Banska Bystrica won’t play in CHL

Slovakian tri-champion Banská Bystrica won't join 19-20 edition of Champions Hockey League.
"Costs are too high - said club President Juraj Koval - so we not joining the Champions League because our participation is financially a loss. Deficit means that we are threatening our own financial security."
Slovakia has a spot avaiable for the competition and according to the rules HKM Zvolen, finished second in the regular season, should replace the champion

Skellefteå AIK managed the thick fog in Slovakia

Skellefteå AIK won their first game in CHL tonight as they defeated HK Nitra, 4-2. But it wasn't just Nitra that caused problem for the Swedish team, there was also a thick fog now and then on the ice, which made it hard to see. But three points to Skellefteå AIK and a good start in CHL.

Adler Mannheim without Metropolit next 4-6 weeks

DEL top team Adler Mannheim has to play without 41 year old veteran Glen Metropolit during the next 4-6 weeks. The forward suffered a rib fracture and is likely going to miss the group stage of the 2015-16 Champions Hockey League season which is played between 21 August and 5 September 2015.

Tretiak: KHL clubs are not interested in Champions League

Vladislav Tretiak, head of Hockey Russia, told that Russian clubs are not interested in playing in the Champions League.

"KHL clubs are not very interested in this competition. They have five Austrian teams there, three Finnish teams... Logically, our clubs are not eager to play them. They were ready to play in final stages, but CL's officials were against it.

This tournament is not very popular. Of course, participation of KHL club would help with it. But if we do participate, we won't have time for national team." - Tretiak said in his interview to Soviet Sport newspaper.

Finland and Sweden dominate CHL

When it is time for quarter finals in Champions Hockey League only teams of Finland and Sweden remain. IFK Helsinki, Lukko Rauma, SaiPa Lappeenranta and Kärpat Oulu from Finland and Linköpings HC, Frölunda Indians, Skellefteå AIK and Luleå HF from Sweden. The quarter finals are played December 2 and 9.

SønderjyskE player suspended

Kristoffer Mohr of the Danish team SønderjyskE has been suspended for four games of Champions Hockey League after a knee check against Skellefteå's Mikko Lehtonen on Saturday.

Hamburg forward Madsen out for up to 8 weeks

Danish international Morten Madsen who plays for German elite team Hamburg Freezers will miss between 6 and 8 weeks with the team and thus the start of Champions Hockey League and Deutsche Eishockey Liga. On Sunday, Madsen suffered a torn muscle fibre in right thigh while playing in a test game against DEL2 side Fischtown Penguins. With 41 points in a total of 62 games he was one of Hamburgs top scorers in the last DEL season.