The Graz 99ers are embarking on a new adventure. © Graz 99ers

Bolzano's and Puster Valley's competitors are starting in the top class

While KAC and Red Bull Salzburg are long-established fixtures in the Champions Hockey League (CHL), reigning champions Graz99ers are only participating in the prestigious European competition for the second time in club history. It all kicks off on Thursday.

September 02, 2026

From: apa

The Graz 99ers will kick off their CHL campaign against none other than Swiss champions Fribourg-Gotteron. Six games will be played in the regular season. "Our goal is to be promoted," 99ers President Herbert Jerich told the APA.

Sixteen of the 24 teams will advance to the knockout stage, which begins in November. In their only previous CHL appearance seven years ago, the 99ers were eliminated in the group stage. Their opening game is against Fribourg-Gotteron, a "blockbuster," as Jerich put it. "In the Swiss league, you first have to win the championship. But we're not afraid; we're jumping in at the deep end." With a strong performance from their goalie, an upset isn't out of the question.

Master craftsmen with a lower budget

The Styrians are expecting more from their second home game on Saturday against French champions Boxers de Bordeaux. "If we want to pursue our goal of promotion, a win is almost a must," said Jerich. However, advancing is by no means a prerequisite. "It's a learning phase for the players; we're taking this long-term." While the CHL is a double workload, "we don't see that as a disadvantage; we're proud and we've earned it. Perhaps we'll be in better shape when the season starts."

Graz coach Dan Lacroix has high ambitions. © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU

The season in the domestic ICE Hockey League begins on September 18th. According to Jerich, the 99ers' budget is significantly lower by a six-figure sum than last season. However, they can add to it during the season if needed. "We're a force to be reckoned with again," Jerich emphasized. The club has a young team that may still lack some experience. "But the quality is certainly no worse than last year."

The Graz 99ers are encouraged by the fact that head coach Dan Lacroix will remain with the team. The Canadian had been linked to, among others, the German champions Eisbären Berlin, where the 99ers will play their first CHL away game next Thursday (September 11). "It was very close. Behind the scenes, it felt like half of Europe was after him," Jerich explained. "The coach is invaluable; he simply makes the team better."

Salzburg's new coach sees "a lot of character"

Salzburg is starting its CHL campaign with a new head coach. Canadian Alan Letang has succeeded his compatriot Manny Viveiros, from whom the Bulls parted ways after a disappointing quarterfinal exit in the domestic championship. They had previously won the ICE Hockey League title four times in a row. Letang is expected to get the team back on track. "We have a lot of character in the locker room, which shows even in difficult moments," said the 50-year-old. Captain Thomas Raffl has recovered from an injury sustained during the preseason and is fit to play.

Peter Hochkofler & Co. are regulars in the CHL. © EC Red Bull Salzburg / Manuel Mackinger

Salzburg will host the Cologne Sharks on Thursday (7:15 p.m.) for their CHL opener. Berlin will also visit the city of Mozart on October 7th. "Our regular-season opponents are formidable," emphasized Letang. "Just playing against these teams raises our competitive level." Furthermore, Salzburg has a strong CHL record to defend: In eleven seasons so far, they have only missed out on a knockout game once. The highlight was reaching the semifinals in 2018/19.

KAC with assistant coach Brandner

No team has played in the European league more often than Salzburg, who have missed only one season since its inception. For KAC, this is their seventh appearance. Klagenfurt has only reached the knockout stage once before, in 2021/22. The record champions kick off their campaign with a home double-header against Bordeaux and Fribourg-Gottéron on Thursday and Saturday (both at 7:15 pm). Former NHL pro Christoph Brandner has joined the team as a prominent new assistant coach.

EC KAC will play at home. © CHL/Wolfgang Jannach

After their elimination in the ICE Hockey League quarterfinals against Szekesfehervar, the "Red Jackets" are eager for redemption. They have won three of their four preseason games. "We coaches are happy that the overall structure of our game is already working well," said Brandner after the preseason. The 51-year-old former forward, Austria's first goal scorer in the North American professional league in 2003, is highly regarded by the KAC players. "Everyone has great respect for him," said defenseman Clemens Unterweger. "He's extremely well-versed in tactics."