Champions Hockey League - Gamedays 1 & 2

This weekend the new found Champions Hockey League started its season and with it four Bruins prospects on four different teams.


The league consists of 44 European teams from at least 8 different countrys. Teams can qualify for the tournament by obtaining either an A, B or C license.

A license: The 26 founding members of the CHL, including teams from Sweden (SHL), Finland (Liiga), Switzerland (NLA), Germany (DEL), Czech Republic (Extraliga) and Austria (EBEL)

B license: The two best teams from each of the six mentioned countrys above are handed a B-license in case they're not already qualified by having an A-license. (in which case the next best team gets the spot)

C license: The six champions from Slovakia (Extraliga), Norway (GET-ligaen), France (Ligue Magnus), Denmark (Metal Ligaen), Italy (Elite A) and the United Kingdom (EIHL).

After a double round-robin group stage, for a total of six games per team, the 11 group winners and the top five runners-up will qualify for the playoffs. Playoffs will be played as a single-elimination tournament.



  Group D: Djurgården (SWE), HC Zlin (CZE), Gottéron (SUI),   
   Eisbären Berlin (GER) 

  Linus Arnesson - Defender - 2nd round pick 2013 (60th overall)
  
  5-4 OT vs Gottéron  / 1-3 @ HC Zlin

 1. Zlin (5 p), 2. Gottéron (4 p), 3. Djurgården (2 p), 4. Berlin (1 p)
   
 

Arnesson, who recently signed an entry-level contract with the Bruins, played both games on the 1st line alongside Philip Holm. They finished -1 without a point, which is not too spectacular as both are known as defensive-defenseman.

Waiting for his call up to Providence next year, the 19-year old will spend his first SHL season with recently promoted Djurgarden. He's also part of the Bruins rookie camp in September.

Group K: Luleå (SWE), Hamburg Freezers (GER), Lukko (FIN), Nottingham Panthers (UK)

Peter Cehlarik -Winger - 3rd round pick 2013 (90th overall)


4-1 @ Hamburg Freezers / 10-1 @ Nottingham Panthers

1. Luleå (6 p), 2. Lukko (6 p), 3. Hamburg (0 p), 4. Nott. (0 p)


It was a great start into the CHL for Lulea Hockey with two road victorys, including a 10-1 beatdown against british side Nottingham Panthers. Bruins prospect Peter Cehlarik, who was given 2nd line time, got an assist on his linemates 5-1 goal by Stephen Dixon.

The Slovakian winger will play his second SHL season for Lulea and is still eligible to play in the World Juniors, unlike Arnesson.




 Group C: Frölunda Indians (SWE), Genève-Servette (SUI), 
 Villacher SV (AUT), Briançon (FRA)
   
 Anton Blidh -Winger - 6th round pick 2013 (180th overall)

 3-4 @ Genève-Servette / 7-1 @ Briançon 

 1. Genève (6 p), 2. Frölunda (3 p), 3. VSV (3 p), 4. Briançon (0 p)


Frölunda started its CHL campaign with a tough road loss at Swiss side Servette, followed by a convincing 7-1 victory in France. Blidh played both games with changing linemates, against Servette he played alongside Hurricanes prospect Erik Karlsson (4th rounder 2012), for Sundays match against Briancon he played with Wings youngster Mattias Janmark (3rd rounder 2013).

The 19-year old finished -1, beeing on the ice for the French side's only goal of the night.
Just like last year, Blidh will spend his season between the SHL and the leagues under 20 competition SuperElite.

Group I : HV71  (SWE), Kloten Flyers (SUI), JYP (FIN),
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)

Emil Johansson - Defender - 7th round pick 2014 (206th overall)

3-2 vs Kloten Flyers / 3-5 vs Red Bull Salzburg

1. JYP (6 p), 2. RB Salzburg (3 p), 3. HV71 (3 p), 4. Kloten (0 p)


HV71 opening win was highlighted by a goal from Kloten's Vincent Praplan.
Johansson (#17) would have been the last guy to stop him from scoring after his linemate Chris Campoli  (#41) was already exposed.

The Bruins 7th round pick played both games alongside the former New York Islanders, finishing the weekend -1 thanks to Praplan's wonder goal.
18-year old Johansson will be Captain of HV71' SuperElite team this season, with the chance of making the World Juniors roster for Team Sweden.

The CHL also features former Bruins players like Frozen Four Champion Colby Cohen (Nottingham Panthers) or Jamie Tardif (Adler Mannheim) who played two games for the Bruins during the 2012-13 season.