season review 2017/18
Imprint The name Champions Hockey League (CHL), all CHL logos and marks as well as the content and all other proprietary materials depicted in this booklet are the property of the CHL and the respective CHL participating clubs and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of the CHL. Copyright Š Champions Hockey League (CHL) AG 2018. All rights reserved. Editors: Monika Reinhard, Luke Fisher Photos by: CHL participating clubs, Infront, TwelfthMan, Robert Hradil Design by: WesWer Design LLC, Minneapolis Printed by: KRT Media AG, Lucerne
SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
CONTENTS
CEO’s Message.......................................... 4 The New Format........................................ 6 The Clubs................................................. 8 Highlights Group Stage............................ 12 Group Stage Results................................. 14 Highlights Playoffs................................. 18 Highlights Final....................................... 20 Playoff Results........................................ 22 Trivia....................................................... 24 From a Welsh Point of View..................... 26 A Final Reaching beyond Scandinavia........ 28 Personification ....................................... 30 The CHL Brand........................................... 32 The Brand Toolkit..................................... 34 Fan Survey............................................... 36 Digital Activities...................................... 40 New Statistics System............................. 42 Tour de CHL............................................... 44 Broadcasting............................................ 46 Hall of Fame............................................ 48 Word from the Winners........................... 50
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
3
CEO’S MESSAGE
MARTIN BAUMANN - CEO
“ THANKS TO THE NEW SPORTIVE FORMAT THE CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE JUST GOT BETTER.” 4
SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
Selling a vision is always much easier than selling hard facts. A year ago we toured Europe, telling everyone how brave our shareholders were and what a landmark decision they’d taken to reduce the CHL’s participation field from 48 teams to 32; and, most importantly, to introduce qualification based on sporting merits only. It was a big bubble, coloured by our stunning new brand strategy, blown up by added innovations such as a new website & app, and our new statistics system. But to be honest, nobody knew back then if the crucial decision taken in June 2016 would be as good as we thought. We had a gut feeling, but no proof that it will work. Now, a year later, we are not only a year older, but also a year wiser. We have collected facts both hard and soft, talked to many people involved with internal and external views, taken part in many valuable meetings with committed club representatives, players, coaches, staff members, volunteers, fans, TV producers, sponsors, and journalists. The majority opinion is clear: The Champions Hockey League just got better. With the change of the competition format, the on-ice level has increased dramatically. The 2017 Group Stage provided high-class ice hockey already in August, but the level still increased when the playoffs came. Teams are keen to win the European Trophy – and believe me or not, the 12 shareholding clubs who missed the 2017/18 season – because they did not qualify in their national leagues – were frustrated. It’s a frustration which has motivated them to come back even stronger! The gap between the teams has shortened, there are no more “easy to beat” teams in the competition. Take Continental Cup winners Nottingham Panthers as an example. The British side shocked them all: Swiss champions SC Bern, Czech side Mountfield HK and the Finns from TPS Turku – and
qualified for the CHL playoffs as first British team ever. Also, we once again had three countries represented in the Semi-Finals – three of the teams reaching the last four for the first time – and JYP Jyväskylä winning the CHL as first Non-Swedish team, showing that something positive has happened. However as I mentioned earlier, there are also hard facts. And these consist mainly in attendance numbers. Was the change of the competition format the ultimate boost when it comes to filling the arenas? The answer is: No, not yet. There is a positive trend in attendance averages: a 4% increase compared to the previous season and 11% compared to the inaugural 2014/15 season, but the absolute numbers are still not satisfying. Having learned from our extensive survey among 21,000 European ice hockey fans (see page 36), increasing the atmosphere at CHL games is one of the key targets to tackle together with our clubs in the near future. As it is commonly known: Who stops being better, stops being good. Thank you to all the stakeholders who contributed to deliver a good CHL in 2017/18, first and foremost the clubs, their management, coaches and players. Also a big thank you to the CHL staff and to the staff of our marketing partner Infront. I look forward to launch an even better CHL together with all of you in 2018/19.
Martin Baumann CEO
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
5
SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW FORMAT For the first time, all teams from across Europe earned their Champions Hockey League place on ice by performance in their national leagues. Automatic playing rights for CHL founding teams were been removed in favour of a clear and measurable qualification criteria based on sporting merits only. It was a change that paid off. “The new qualification system not only makes the Champions Hockey League more appealing, but also the national leagues too,” CHL sports director Bo Lennartsson said. The heat was on when the “race to qualify” climaxed at the end of regular seasons and in the playoffs. Fans and media picked it up in a very enthusiastic way, giving the CHL an additional buzz and reach. From February to April, almost week by week new teams qualified, adding up to the total of 32. Only the best qualified: champions and top teams of each league.
6
SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
“All this lead to a better Champions Hockey League with better contested and more meaningful games“, Bo Lennartsson said. “We had brilliant clashes already in the Group Stage, for example Adler Mannheim beating SHL Champions HV71 twice, Liberec taking Växjo to overtime, and the early clash between Frölunda and the ZSC Lions, where many experts said this was top-notch.” The quality on ice continued to increase through each phase of the competition: as SC Bern needed a comeback win on the road to get passed Red Bull Munich in the Round of 16, Liberec eliminated Frölunda and ZSC Lions, while JYP twice knocked out top Czech sides. This then culminated in a breathtaking final in Växjö which delivered everything an ice hockey fan asks for – world class game and a little bit of drama. Lennartsson continued: “It took courage from all shareholders to change the competition format. But already the first season proved that it was absolutely the correct decision and not only increased the credibility of the CHL overall, but also the acceptance among clubs, media and fans. It has brought the CHL to the next level.”
THE NEW FORMAT SPORT
13
LEAGUES
32
CHAMPIONS
(CHL CHAMPIONS, CONTINENTAL CUP CHAMPIONS, 13 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS)
CLUBS
2
REGULAR SEASON WINNERS
15
5
REGULAR SEASON RUNNERS-UP
5 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALISTS NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMIFINALISTS
NEW CLUBS:
RETURNING CLUBS:
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
7
32 CLUBS
Alder Mannheim
Brynäs IF
Bílí Tygři Liberec
Cardiff Devils
The German side shocked early when they beat HV71 away in the Group Stage, and followed it up on home ice as well. Later eliminated in the Round of 16 by Brynäs.
A CHL debut for the side from Gävle, but dramatically lost top spot in the group to a last- second goal. Fell to Trinec in the Quarter-Finals.
The return-leg comeback kings! Came from behind to eliminate Frölunda & ZSC, but found Växjö a step too far in the Semi-Finals.
Bringing CHL hockey to Wales for the first time, the Devils only lost one home game – beating Davos & Växjö on famous nights at Ice Arena Wales.
Country: GER
Country: SWE
Country: CZE
Country: GBR
Founded: 1938
Founded: 1912
Founded: 1956
Founded: 1986
National Titles: 7
National Titles: 13
National Titles: 1
National Titles: 5
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
62.5%
F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
17/18
SF
70.0%
F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
41.7%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
17/18
SF
F
33.3%
P%
Comarch Cracovia
EV Zug
Esbjerg Energy
Frölunda Indians
Two seasons and still no points for the Poles in the CHL. Did however give Munich & Brynäs a fright in Krakow this time around.
Needed a final-day win over Vienna to make the last 16, but then won the group. Still yet to advance past the first elimination round.
This time the Danes failed to register a win, although they pushed eventual Semi-Finalists Trinec all the way at home.
Lost one game in this season’s CHL. That forced OT to break the aggregate deadlock, and Liberec scored to eliminate the defending champions.
Country: POL
Country: SUI
Country: DEN
Founded: 1906
Founded: 1967
Founded: 1964
National Titles: 4
National Titles: 12
National Titles: 1
National Titles: 7
CHL Titles: 2 (2016, 2017)
14/15 GS 00.0%
8
17/18
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
17/18
SF
F P%
SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
14/15 GS 50.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 00.0%
Country: SWE Founded: 1944
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 87.5%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
15 CHAMPIONS Gap Rapaces
Grizzlys Wolfsburg
HC Davos
HC05 Banská Bystrica
Drawn into the group of death, but will forever be remembered for having the CHL’s most-fashionable coach!
The only German side not to make the playoffs, after two one-goal defeats to Salzburg at the end of the Group Stage saw them go out early.
Started with a 10-1 win! But three straight road defeats, including in Cardiff, saw the 2015/16 Semi-Finalists bow out in the Group Stage.
The Slovak debutants were good on home ice with two wins, but only managed three goals on the road. Took 400 fans to Salzburg!
Country: FRA
Country: GER
Country: SUI
Country: SVK
Founded: 1937
Founded: 2004
Founded: 1921
Founded: 1964
National Titles: 4
National Titles: 0
National Titles: 31
National Titles: 1
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
00.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
33.3%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
33.3%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
33.3%
17/18 F P%
HV71 Jönköping
IFK Helsinki
JYP Jyväskylä
KAC Klagenfurt
The Swedish Champions went out in the Group Stage after shock losses to Mannheim, and then in Trinec, after two straight seasons in the last 16.
Knocked out in the Group Stage for the first time, but Nordgren’s hat-trick in his first senior game will be forever remembered!
Quietly went about their business in the early stages, and then saw off Czech sides in the Quarters and Semis. Recorded the first ever Final shutout to lift the trophy in Växjö!
Forced a last-day showdown against ZSC, but ultimately went out in the Group Stage. Recorded their first CHL win, and then two more.
Country: SWE
Country: FIN
Founded: 1923
Country: AUT
Founded: 1971
Founded: 1897
National Titles: 1
Founded: 1909
National Titles: 4
National Titles: 7
CHL Titles: 1 (2018)
National Titles: 30
Country: FIN
14/15 GS 50.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 33.3%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 61.5%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 50.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
9
13 EUROPEAN KalPa Kuopio
Kometa Brno
Malmö Redhawks
Mountfield HK
Coached by legend Sami Kapanen, the Finns went out in the Group Stage for the third time out of four tries behind Brno & Malmö.
The Czech Champions had fantastic fan support in their debut CHL season. Experimented with some younger players in the early stages, but came up short when it counted.
In their debut CHL campaign, they were unbeaten at home until the Round of 16, then eliminated by Trinec by two one-goal defeats.
Started well, but then suffered two shock losses to Nottingham in their inaugural CHL stint. Were the only Czech side to go out in the Group Stage.
Country: FIN
Country: CZE
Country: SWE
Country: CZE
Founded: 1929
Founded: 1953
Founded: 1972
Founded: 2013
National Titles: 0
National Titles: 12
National Titles: 2
National Titles: 0
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
17/18
SF
50.0%
F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
70.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
50.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
33.3%
17/18 F P%
Neman Grodno
Nottingham Panthers
Oceláři Třinec
Red Bull Munich
Lost all three road games in shootouts, and took a point in all but one of six Group Stage matches. A difficult side to break down, especially at home.
Wrote history in a dream run to the last 16 as first British team to: win away, win their group, and qualify to the knock-out stages.
Filled their building numerous times on the way to the Semis. Overturned a 2-goal deficit to JYP, but heartbreakingly lost in a shootout.
After dramatically winning their group, the Red Bulls again fell at the first playoff hurdle. Won the away leg in Bern but couldn’t hold on at home.
Country: BLR
Country: GBR
Country: CZE
Country: GER
Founded: 1988
Founded: 1946
Founded: 1929
Founded: 1998
National Titles: 6
National Titles: 5
National Titles: 1
National Titles: 2
14/15 GS 33.3%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
17/18
SF
F P%
10 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
14/15 GS 50.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 75.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 75.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
COUNTRIES Red Bull Salzburg
SC Bern
Stavanger Oilers
TPS Turku
Qualified for the last 16 on the final day, and refused to give up against Växjö until they were beaten late on.
Made the Quarter-Finals for the second straight season after a road comeback in Munich. Pushed Växjö hard but came up short.
Probably the unluckiest team in the CHL this season – eliminated in four games, despite only losing by a single goal in all of them!
Knocked out in the groups for the first time despite being unbeaten at home. Didn’t however take any points on the road.
Country: AUT
Country: SUI
Country: NOR
Country: FIN
Founded: 2000
Founded: 1931
Founded: 2000
Founded: 1922
National Titles: 7
National Titles: 15
National Titles: 6
National Titles: 11
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
50.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
50.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
00.0%
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
50.0%
17/18 F P%
Tappara Tampere
Vienna Capitals
Växjö Lakers
ZSC Lions Zurich
Again got through the group but eliminated in the first playoff round – this time to eventual finalists, and Finnish rivals, JYP, by just a goal.
Pushed Zug to the final Game Day in the Group Stage, and were denied with five minutes to go, to again miss out on a playoff place at the death.
Getting closer every season, this time runners-up after the Semis in 2017. One of the best arena restaurants in the CHL!
Made it to the last 16 this time, but couldn’t get further as Liberec tied the score and won the shootout. Fredrik Pettersson finished as LGT Top Scorer.
Country: FIN
Country: AUT
Country: SWE
Founded: 1955
Founded: 2000
Founded: 1997
National Titles: 8
National Titles: 17
National Titles: 2
National Titles: 1
CHL Titles: 1 (2009, old CHL format)
14/15 GS 75.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 33.3%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 61.5%
Country: SUI Founded: 1930
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
14/15 GS 60.0%
15/16 R16
16/17 QF
SF
17/18 F P%
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
11
12 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
HIGHLIGHTS GROUP STAGE SPORT DOWN TO ACTION And so after an off-season of format and brand changes, finally it was down to action and time for the most important AT THE OTHER END part of the CHL to begin – the actual hockey! Opening day crowds were HV71’s elimination in the Group Stage was noticeably improved as teams took new a shock, as was it to see 2016/17 Semiinitiatives to market their games, while Finalists HC Davos eliminated before the on the ice Erik Josefsson scored the first playoffs, too. Stavanger Oilers and Neman goal of the season for Växjö in Liberec. Grodno were both exceptionally unlucky In Gothenburg, two former European to not make it further – the former losing Champions clashed as Frölunda met ZSC their first four games by only one goal, Lions in the first game. and being knocked out; the latter taking a point in all except one game, including three road shootouts as both finished last TOP TEAMS in their groups. Esbjerg, Gap, and Cracovia all ended without a point. In a CHL first, no team made the playoffs with a perfect record. The closest anyone came was Frölunda Indians, who ISLAND FORTRESS dropped just one point in an OT Win over ZSC Lions on the first Game Day. Adler Unquestionably the biggest shocks of Manheim provided the first big shock of the Group Stage came courtesy of the the season when they went to Jönköping Nottingham Panthers. Their road win over and beat SHL Champions HV71 in their Mountfield HK was the first away for a own rink; while compatriots Red Bull team from the EIHL, and they backed it Munich saw a last-gasp goal hand them up in their own area. First, they overcame Top Spot in Group G. Five of the groups the Czechs again, this time in OT, before went down to the wire to decide at coming from two goals down to beat the least one of the qualifiers, with EV Zug giants of SC Bern. A win over TPS, 2-0, probably being the luckiest of all – not clinched their playoff place with a game to only qualifying with five minutes to play, spare as the Continental Cup Champions but then winning their group as well! went on to win Group F. A word also on the Cardiff Devils, who won two of their three home games over Davos and Växjö, meaning that five of six visiting teams to the UK left with defeats.
32
8
TEAMS
WILD CARDS
13
24
LEAGUES SWEDEN FINLAND
SWITZERLAND CZECH
REPUBLIC
GERMANY AUSTRIA SLOVAKIA
TEAMS FROM FOUNDING LEAGUES
BELARUS NORWAY GREAT BRITAIN
DENMARK FRANCE POLAND
PLAYING FORMAT: 8 GROUPS OF 4, WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP TO QUALIFY FOR THE KNOCK-OUT STAGE
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
13
GROUP STAGE RESULTS GROUP A Grizzlys Wolfsburg
vs. HC05 Banská Bystrica
4:3
Red Bull Salzburg
vs. Tappara Tampere
1:6
Grizzlys Wolfsburg
vs. Tappara Tampere
1:7
Red Bull Salzburg
vs. HC05 Banská Bystrica
5:0
HC05 Banská Bystrica
vs. Grizzlys Wolfsburg
0:1
Tappara Tampere
vs. Red Bull Salzburg
4:2
HC05 Banská Bystrica
vs. Red Bull Salzburg
5:3
Tappara Tampere
vs. Grizzlys Wolfsburg
4:2
Grizzlys Wolfsburg
vs. Red Bull Salzburg
4:5
Tappara Tampere
vs. HC05 Banská Bystrica
3:0
HC05 Banská Bystrica
vs. Tappara Tampere
5:2
Red Bull Salzburg
vs. Grizzlys Wolfsburg
4:3
Neman Grodno
vs. Vienna Capitals
5:4 OT
JYP Jyväskylä
vs. EV Zug
3:2
Neman Grodno
vs. EV Zug
2:3
JYP Jyväskylä
vs. Vienna Capitals
4:1
Vienna Capitals
vs. JYP Jyväskylä
1:3
EV Zug
vs. Neman Grodno
3:2 SO
EV Zug
vs. JYP Jyväskylä
6:3
Vienna Capitals
vs. Neman Grodno
5:4 SO
JYP Jyväskylä
vs. Neman Grodno
3:2 SO
Vienna Capitals
vs. EV Zug
5:3
Neman Grodno
vs. JYP Jyväskylä
3:0
EV Zug
vs. Vienna Capitals
3:1
Tappara Tampere
15
Red Bull Salzburg
9
Grizzlys Wolfsburg
6
HC05 Banská Bystrica
6
EV Zug
11
JYP Jyväskylä
11
Neman Grodno
8
Vienna Capitals
6
GROUP C
14 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
GROUP B KalPa Kuopio
vs. Malmö Redhawks
6:4
Stavanger Oilers
vs. Kometa Brno
1:2
KalPa Kuopio
vs. Kometa Brno
2:4
Stavanger Oilers
vs. Malmö Redhawks
3:4
Kometa Brno
vs. KalPa Kuopio
3:2 OT
Malmö Redhawks
vs. Stavanger Oilers
2:1
Kometa Brno
vs. Stavanger Oilers
4:3 OT
Malmö Redhawks
vs. KalPa Kuopio
6:2
Kometa Brno
vs. Malmö Redhawks
5:4 OT
KalPa Kuopio
vs. Stavanger Oilers
7:1
Malmö Redhawks
vs. Kometa Brno
3:0
Stavanger Oilers
vs. KalPa Kuopio
4:6
Malmö Redhawks
13
Kometa Brno
12
KalPa Kuopio
10
Stavanger Oilers
1
Adler Mannheim
15
Oceláři Třinec
13
HV71 Jönköping
8
Esbjerg Energy
0
GROUP D HV71 Jönköping
vs. Adler Mannheim
1:4
Oceláři Třinec
vs. Esbjerg Energy
9:1
Oceláři Třinec
vs. Adler Mannheim
3:0
HV71 Jönköping
vs. Esbjerg Energy
3:0
Esbjerg Energy
vs. HV71 Jönköping
2:7
Adler Mannheim
vs. Oceláři Třinec
6:2
Adler Mannheim
vs. HV71 Jönköping
6:3
Esbjerg Energy
vs. Oceláři Třinec
1:2
HV71 Jönköping
vs. Oceláři Třinec
2:1 SO
Esbjerg Energy
vs. Adler Mannheim
2:6
Oceláři Třinec
vs. HV71 Jönköping
3:0
Adler Mannheim
vs. Esbjerg Energy
4:1
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
15
GROUP STAGE RESULTS GROUP E Bílí Tygři Liberec
vs. Växjö Lakers
3:4 OT
HC Davos
vs. Cardiff Devils
10:1
Bílí Tygři Liberec
vs. Cardiff Devils
5:2
HC Davos
vs. Växjö Lakers
0:3
Växjö Lakers
vs. HC Davos
5:3
Cardiff Devils
vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec
3:7
Växjö Lakers
vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec
6:3
Cardiff Devils
vs. HC Davos
4:3 OT
Bílí Tygři Liberec
vs. HC Davos
4:3
Cardiff Devils
vs. Växjö Lakers
5:1
Växjö Lakers
vs. Cardiff Devils
3:2
HC Davos
vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec
3:2
Red Bull Munich
vs. Comarch Cracovia
6:2
Brynäs IF
vs. IFK Helsinki
4:3 SO
Brynäs IF
vs. Comarch Cracovia
8:0
Red Bull Munich
vs. IFK Helsinki
4:1
IFK Helsinki
vs. Brynäs IF
2:5
Comarch Cracovia
vs. Red Bull Munich
1:2
IFK Helsinki
vs. Red Bull Munich
2:4
Comarch Cracovia
vs. Brynäs IF
2:3
Red Bull Munich
vs. Brynäs IF
2:3
Comarch Cracovia
vs. IFK Helsinki
0:6
IFK Helsinki
vs. Comarch Cracovia
6:3
Brynäs IF
vs. Red Bull Munich
2:3
Växjö Lakers
14
Bílí Tygři Liberec
10
HC Davos
7
Cardiff Devils
5
Red Bull Munich
15
Brynäs IF
14
IFK Helsinki
7
Comarch Cracovia
0
GROUP G
16 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
GROUP F Mountfield HK
vs. TPS Turku
5:1
SC Bern
vs. Nottingham Panthers
5:2
Mountfield HK
vs. Nottingham Panthers
2:4
SC Bern
vs. TPS Turku
4:0
TPS Turku
vs. SC Bern
3:1
Nottingham Panthers
vs. Mountfield HK
4:3 OT
TPS Turku
vs. Mountfield HK
3:1
Nottingham Panthers
vs. SC Bern
4:2
Nottingham Panthers
vs. TPS Turku
2:0
Mountfield HK
vs. SC Bern
5:4
TPS Turku
vs. Nottingham Panthers
5:2
SC Bern
vs. Mountfield HK
5:2
Frölunda Indians
vs. ZSC Lions Zurich
5:4 OT
Gap Rapaces
vs. KAC Klagenfurt
3:6
Gap Rapaces
vs. ZSC Lions Zurich
1:11
Frölunda Indians
vs. KAC Klagenfurt
2:1
KAC Klagenfurt
vs. Frölunda Indians
2:4
ZSC Lions Zurich
vs. Gap Rapaces
4:0
KAC Klagenfurt
vs. Gap Rapaces
4:2
ZSC Lions Zurich
vs. Frölunda Indians
1:2
Frölunda Indians
vs. Gap Rapaces
5:1
KAC Klagenfurt
vs. ZSC Lions Zurich
2:1 OT
Gap Rapaces
vs. Frölunda Indians
1:3
ZSC Lions Zurich
vs. KAC Klagenfurt
3:0
Nottingham Panthers
11
SC Bern
9
TPS Turku
9
Mountfield HK
7
Frölunda Indians
17
ZSC Lions Zurich
11
KAC Klagenfurt
8
Gap Rapaces
0
GROUP H
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
17
16 DOWN TO 8 The Round of 16 saw Bílí Tygři Liberec, SC Bern and Växjö Lakers all turn around first leg defeats to advance. The most dramatic was arguably Liberec, who eliminated the defending champions with an overtime goal that left the home side stunned. ZSC Lions ended Nottingham’s fairytale with a 6-1 win, however the British side were given an amazing reception by the almost 7,000 people in the return game. QUARTER-FINALS In the last eight Oceláři Třinec kept up their fantastic record against SHL opposition, beating Brynäs 8-4 over two legs to go further. Bern were unable to kept their one-goal lead heading to Växjö, going down 6-5 on aggregate despite some late chances to force overtime. Liberec again stunned on the road – this time in Zurich, where a shootout win saw them take out ZSC Lions. Meanwhile JYP, who had trailed 3-1 at home to Kometa, raced into a lead and held on to win 5-3 in Brno. The win was made more surprising after the visitors’ plane was delayed into Brno! THE FINAL 4 Two Czech teams in the Semi-Finals, but neither were able to repeat Sparta Prague’s feat and make the final. Liberec, after tying Växjö in the home leg, found the return game a step to far and were soundly beaten. Třinec however pushed JYP much closer – down two goals from the first leg, and then 2-1 at home, the Oceláři went 4-2 up with just under 10 minutes to play to tie the series. However they couldn’t find a winner, and in a shootout JYP’s cool finishes saw them snatch the place in the final!
18 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
HIGHLIGHTS PLAYOFFS SPORT
16 2
TEAMS FROM 7 COUNTRIES
SWEDEN 3 CZECH REPUBLIC 3 SWITZERLAND FINLAND 2 GERMANY 1 AUSTRIA 1 GREAT BRITAIN 4
NOTTINGHAM
1
PANTHERS
BRITISH TEAM TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
THE TWO “NEWBIES” WHO MADE IT THE FURTHEST
43
COUNTRIES
QUARTER-FINALS :
TEAMS FROM
ST
IN THE SEMI-FINALS 3 NEW SEMI-FINALISTS JYP JYVÄSKYLÄ BÍLÍ TYGŘI LIBEREC OCELÁŘI TŘINEC
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
19
FINNISH FINAL DELIGHT very final has its stories and personal E moments. For the hosts: a European final some 20 years after hockey in Växjö went bankrupt, and the Lakers to start in the Swedish fourth tier; two Finns on the roster; young star Joel Persson; experienced former NHL-netminder Viktor Fasth; trying to join Luleå and Frölunda as European Champions, and finally a sold out area in Växjö for CHL hockey. For the visitors: veteran Jarkko Immonen back at his ‘home’ club; bright stars in Suomela and Turkulainen; 200 travelling fans; and the chance to be European Champions again after previous European Trophy success. Every final, in the CHL especially, serves as possibly a league’s best advertisement for why a competition exists. A goalless opening period was not without entertainment as the teams traded 21 shots on goal to find an
20 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
opening. In contrast to the 2017 final, this was a less open game of cat and mouse, made tense the longer the game remained scoreless. The breakthrough finally came in the middle period – JYP captain Joonas Nättinen’s speculative shot slipping through Fasth to give the Finns the lead with 34:32 played. JYP carried that lead into the third period, every minute passing without conceding bringing them a step closer to the ultimate prize. With 51 minutes on the clock, drama. Eric Martinsson, and the vast majority of the 5,750 in attendance, thought the Lakers were level, but the goal was immediately washed out for goalie interference – backed up after video review. A late penalty on the visitors gave the hosts the chance to equalise, but with Fasth pulled a turnover allowed Janne Kolehmainen to find the empty net from inside his own zone and spark wild celebrations in the JYP bench and in among their fans.
HIGHLIGHTS FINAL SPORT
59 M
2
BRANDING MATERIAL
62
BROADCASTING TERRITORIES
21 CAMERAS 1ST FINNISH TEAM TO WIN CHL 1ST ESTONIAN TO WIN CHL ROBERT ROOBA 3 EMPTY NET GOAL IN A CHL FINAL RD
1ST SHUTOUT IN A CHL FINAL JUSSI OLKINUORA 2ND ‘AWAY TEAM’ VICTORY LOWEST SCORING
CHL FINAL
3RD FINAL IN SWEDEN
SCAN THE CODE AND WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO OF THE CHL FINAL 2018!
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 21
Vida Arena
Växjö, Sweden
0 ROUND OF 16
QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS
VLH 1 5 6 RBS 2 3 5
VLH 2 4 6 SCB 3 2 5
RBM 3 2 5 SCB 2 5 7 VLH 1 6 7 LIB
NOT 1 0 1 ZSC 3 3 6
FHC 3 4 7 LIB
22 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
2 6 8
ZSC
1 0 1
LIB
0 2 2
1 1 2
Final
PLAYOFF RESULTS
February 6, 2018
2 SEMI-FINALS
QUARTER-FINALS ROUND OF 16
8 3 5
4 1 3
TAP
5 3 2
JYP
5 3 2
EVZ
JYP
6 3 3 KOM
9 4 5 KOM 7 4 3
JYP
6 2 4
TRI
3 2 1 MAN 5 3 2 4 1 3
BIF
8 3 5
TRI
BIF
2 1 1 MAL 4 2 2
TRI
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 23
TRIVIA SPORT
1st goal of the season: Erik Josefsson (Växjö Lakers) at 9:07 against Bílí Tygři Liberec 96.19% top save percentage, Šimon Hrubec (Oceláři Třinec, 10 games played) +10 plus-minus-leaders: Oliver Bohm + Linus Fröberg (both Växjö Lakers) 23:36 most time on on ice per game: Graeme McCormack (GAP Rapaces) 4 most game winning goals: Fredrik Pettersson (ZSC Lions Zurich) 3 Most points per game: Niklas Nordgren (IFK Helsinki) 2.07most points per game on average per country: Sweden 41 most goals scored by a team, Växjö Lakers 449 most shots on goal by a team, Växjö Lakers (but only 9.13% hit the net) 32.35 top power play efficiency, Frölunda Indians % (11 goals scored on 34 powerplays) 90.48% t op penalty killing efficiency, Tappara Tampere (2 goals against in 19 opportunities) 23:30 most penalty minutes per game on average, IFK Helsinki
24 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
IN 125 GAMES TOTAL
10,617 TOP ATTENDANCE
AVERAGE PER CLUB, SC BERN
5,535 TOP ATTENDANCE AVERAGE PER COUNTRY, SWITZERLAND
5.88 735 GOALS SCORED GOALS PER GAME ON AVERAGE
(589 IN THE GROUP STAGE/146 IN THE PLAYOFFS)
IN TOTAL
992
TOTAL REGISTERED PLAYERS BY
32
CLUBS
300,000 EURO ACCUMULATED PRIZE MONEY FOR THE CHAMPIONS, JYP JYVÄSKYLÄ
421,743 AVERAGE 3374 ON
GAME, SPECTATORS PER +4% IN TOTAL INCREASE
500
GAME OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENTS: 92 REFEREES AND 101 LINESMEN FROM 16 LEAGUES WERE IN ACTION
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 25
FROM A WELSH POINT OF VIEW FEATURES
“ I HAVEN’T SEEN A GAME WITH SUCH A HIGH SKILL LEVEL. THEIR PACE WAS INCREDIBLE.”
26 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
YOU DON’T REALIZE HOW MUCH GOES INTO IT! I’ll start with a simple statement; this was the best experience of my career so far. We might have arrived the day before the final, but we were straight to work almost immediately with the press conference which was held in the arena the evening before. As the others did some Facebook live videos, my task was to capture as much ‘behind the scenes’ footage as possible and post it to our Instagram story.
From the start of the first period the skill and tactical approaches were obvious - being a fan of a Welsh team in a growing British league, I haven’t seen a game with such a high skill level. Their pace was incredible, trying to keep up with them was difficult, but watching this game first hand was a once in a life time experience. There wasn’t a moment that wasn’t pleasing to the eye in terms of skills and ability.
The Coaches and Captains from both teams were there to answer the important questions from the press. To make the press conference more interactive and inclusive the CHL gave the fans the opportunity to ask them questions. Due to the fast pace of the interviews, it was quite hard to keep up with everything. My aim was to try and get the best quotes and images, and to make the story interesting to the public. For me, the variety of possible content gave me the opportunity to try different formats and test my multimedia skills.
In the period breaks we needed to do flash interviews in the mixed zone. There was a slight mishap in the first, so I had the pressure of conducting and editing two in 20 minutes but I managed to put it together!
On the day of the Final, we had organised interviews with each team. I was thrown in at the deep end, given the interview with Växjö Lakers coach, Sam Hallam during the morning skate. Sometimes you just have to take a moment and realise you’re standing next to one of the best coaches in Europe! And then it came to the Final itself. Keeping track of any ice hockey game is a challenge because of it’s the speed, but trying to keep a large audience up to date with it on social media is even harder than I thought. When having control of a social media platform you need to decide what the best moments are, it’s a hard decision to make. Most fans are watching the game on TV, so you’re trying to show them alternative angles to game day that they wouldn’t otherwise see.
After a close and intense game the champions were crowned, JYP Jyväskylä would be taking the trophy to Finland for the first time in CHL history. Before the game we’d agreed who would interview which team, regardless of result. I got lucky and had JYP, meaning I was on the ice for the celebrations and had the opportunity to interview the new CHL Champions. Being a hockey fan and a student journalist, interviewing champions is just a dream, especially on the ice in the moment. The pressure of asking the right questions was nerve-racking, but I enjoyed every second. It’s overwhelming to see how many people have watched my interviews. You never realise the amount of work that goes into a competition like this, until you experience it first-hand. However, it must be said I had an incredible time, it’s the best decision I’ve made. Contributed by Rachel Jones, fan ambassador for the Cardiff Devils and journalism student at The University of South Wales in Cardiff. Rachel was doing work experience with the CHL content team at the CHL Final in Växjö.
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 27
A FINAL REACHING BEYOND SCANDINAVIA Through sports you can meet some amazing and inspirational figures, both on and off the ice (or field). This is true in Ice Hockey, where a communal atmosphere allows even rival fans to put their differences aside. During my work experience with the Champions Hockey League I had the pleasure of meeting one of these figures. Nathan Bradley has followed ice hockey for a number of years and was attending the final with Nicola, his aunt, who he’d enticed into watching the sport. The pair travelled to Switzerland to watch their home team, the Nottingham Panthers, take on the ZSC Lions in the first leg of the last 16 tie. Nottingham went on to lose both games and subsequently were eliminated from the tournament. Despite this, Nathan described watching his team play in the competition as a “terrific experience”. Without a team to support I questioned why they were here, in the cold below freezing temperatures of Sweden, to watch an allScandinavian final. Nathan’s reply to this was simple: “I love hockey!” He wasn’t going to let the complication of being in a wheelchair stop him from watching the sport he loves, travelling for a total of 15 hours from his home in the West Midlands to get here. He took the time to praise the accommodation he received, saying that the train guards and drivers were brilliant. After overcoming the obstacle of arriving in Sweden, Nathan was keen to emphasize just how much he enjoyed the final. Sitting by the glass, he paid particular attention to JYP’s net-minder Jussi Olkinoura, often wondering if he was actually made from elastic. He went on to describe the atmosphere, saying it was like nothing he’d “ever experienced before at a
28 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
hockey arena.” In a way, Nathan was rewarded for his commitment to the sport when he found his seat before the game: “The Swedish TV were setting up for a piece to camera with the trophy, and asked me if I wanted a photo, so I ended up next to it which was a real thrill.” Nathan’s positive attitude was greatly appreciated by one of the stewards who, in return, helped him obtain a puck: “I ended up getting to meet with Anders Ternbom, President of the CHL, who chatted to me about my travels and presented me with a game puck and lapel pin.” It’s safe to say that I was heading into the unknown when I travelled to Sweden. If you’d asked me before I left about the possibility of encountering fellow Elite League fans, especially one with a story like Nathan’s, I’d have been sceptical to say the least. Despite everything I learnt out there, its people like him who I’ll remember when I look back on the experience. If you’re new to the Champions Hockey League like I was then all I can say to you is travel while you can. The opportunity of meeting ice hockey fans from different cultures is something that should be cherished. Nathan went beyond most fans and set a great example to anybody who is unsure about getting involved. After all, you can never be sure if your team will make it next year. Contributed by Liam Thomas, journalism student at The University of South Wales in Cardiff who was doing work experience with the CHL content team at the CHL Final in Växjö.
FANS GO BEYOND FEATURES
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 29
PERSONIFICATION
YOUNGEST PLAYER: Adam Raška (Oceláři Třinec), 16 years
LIGHTEST PLAYER: Vojtěch Střondala (Kometa Brno) and Daniel Wachter (Red Bull Salzburg), 63 kg
30 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
OLDEST PLAYER: Eric Perrin (TPS Turku), 42 years
HEAVIEST PLAYER: Jonne Virtanen (TPS Turku), 118 kg
SHORTEST PLAYER: Vojtěch Střondala (Kometa Brno), 167 cm
TALLEST PLAYER: Joe Finley (IFK Helsinki), 203 cm
PROUD COMPATRIOTS: Robert Rooba (CHL Champion with JYP) is the only Estonian player in the competition while Balázs Sebők keeps the flag flying for Hungary (representing KalPa Kuopio)
Disclaimer: data is related to 2017/18 season.
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
31
THE BRAND MARKETING
VISION
TO BE EUROPE’S GREATEST HOCKEY COMPETITION.
MISSION
GIVE FANS EUROPE’S MOST EXCITING HOCKEY EXPERIENCE, GIVE ITS STARS THE GREATEST PLATFORM ON WHICH TO PERFORM. 32 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
THE ‘NEW’ CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE With the introduction of the new competition format for the 2017/18 season, the CHL took the opportunity to refine its brand positioning. “Despite crowning the European champions each season, we felt that the Champions Hockey League was often considered less important than domestic leagues, with fans unaware of the strength of competition and quality of the players in the CHL”, CEO Martin Baumann said. “With our new brand strategy we are reshaping perceptions, demonstrating the CHL’s values and setting high and unique standards.” orking together with Infront Sports & W Media, creative director WesWer Design and branding agency TwelfthMan, the CHL worked on a project to deliver the league’s true potential. The result is a new, unconventional brand strategy with the aim to give a fresh perspective to the competition. The organisation is now driven by the goal of delivering Europe’s most exciting hockey competition and providing its stars the greatest platform on which to perform. The new brand engages fans at every opportunity, inspiring the players and the clubs with
professionalism and ambition, and telling diehard supporters that the Champions Hockey League just got better. It is also convincing a new generation this is where hockey is at. The league’s focus is on celebrating and promoting the unique style of the European game. The brand is authentic and real and speaks to the fans. The new brand proposition not only leads the promotional activity, it also motivates the teams, players and fans by a universal never-say-die attitude that transcends the game.
SCAN THE CODE AND WATCH OUR BRAND VIDEO!
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 33
34 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
TOOLKIT MARKETING
THE BRAND TOOLKIT In refreshing the Champions Hockey League brand it was not only an important goal to install easy-to-understand guidelines for everyone involved, but also to provide ready-made elements for participating clubs. The new Brand Toolkit helps teams to create engaging, inspiring and ‘on-brand’ marketing materials for the purpose of promoting their CHL games and the competition itself. The toolkit includes – but is not limited to – posters, game day programme, web banners, social media header graphics & post templates, video graphics, jumbotron graphics, LED boards etc. It is a project to be expanded.
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 35
FAN SURVEY MARKETING
GROUND-BREAKING FAN SURVEY TO DRIVE CHL GROWTH Across the 2017/18 season, as part of its ongoing goal to strengthen its engagement with ice hockey fans, the Champions Hockey League undertook a number of steps to understand more about its fanbase. Most noteworthy of all, the CHL conducted the biggest fan survey in the history of European ice hockey over the 2017/18 season. Teaming up with Two Circles, the award-winning sports marketing agency (see below), the objective of the survey was to develop a solid, wide-ranging and tangible understanding of who CHL fans are, why they watch ice hockey, what drives their relationship with the sport and the CHL, and how they differ by country. The survey was able to reach the entire CHL fanbase via 49 separate stakeholders (42 clubs and six leagues, in addition to the CHL itself) and received an unprecedented level of responses. The key findings are hugely positive for the CHL, and show that the CHL and its clubs’ investment into the sport is reflected in a strong and positive relationship between European ice hockey fans and the CHL.
About Two Circles Two Circles is a WPP-owned, data-driven sports marketing agency that helps sports organisations grow relationships with their audiences and partners to drive commercial growth. Working with some of the world’s biggest rights-holders – including UEFA, NFL, Wimbledon, Formula 1, FIVB, FIS and the Premier League – it helps its clients navigate the new digital landscape, increase revenue and enhance their partner proposition. Two Circles has twice been named Agency of the Year at the BT Sport Industry Awards.
36 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
KEY FINDINGS EUROPEAN ICE HOCKEY FANS ARE HIGHLY-ENGAGED WITH THE CHL
4. STADIUM ATMOSPHERE IS CRITICAL TO THE LIVE EXPERIENCE
The survey was completed by over Of all CHL fans who watch games in21,000 fans from more than 15 countries, person, 95% said atmosphere in the arena making it the biggest survey of the was an important contributing factor to European ice hockey fanbase in history. their enjoyment of attending, with the majority rating the CHL atmosphere as above average on a sliding scale. 1. ICE HOCKEY FANS ARE YOUNG AND DIGITALLY SAVVY 5. THE MAJORITY OF CHL FANS Responses from the survey showed the SEE THEMSELVES AS INNOVATORS profile of the hockey fan to be younger than the European population, with A segmentation of fans, according to their 74% of fans under 45. Around 7 in 10 survey responses, found that the majority fans are car owners. Fans are deeply of CHL fans can be classed as Innovators knowledgeable about the game, with – fans for whom ice hockey has always more than a quarter playing at some been a big part of their life, and are keen level. They nearly all show their passion to see the game grow by supporting the through attending live games (92% of CHL in innovative plans and new ideas. respondents were current attendees), but they are also avid consumers of ice hockey online: the average fan spends more than 6.5 hours a week watching, The insight from the survey is now being reading and enjoying ice hockey content used by the CHL, ahead of the new online. season, to create strategies to evolve all areas of the CHL to better meet the demands of fans, engage with them more, 2. CHL FANS ARE COMING and drive commercial growth that can be TO WATCH LIVE ACTION reinvested back into clubs. The vast majority of survey respondents It will also be used to attract a greater (around 80%) said they attend CHL amount of sponsorship into the sport, as games live at arenas across Europe. In a brands now demand more insight into world where sports fans have an evertheir target audience before they make increasing amount of entertainment investment decisions.The CHL has also options competing for their time and shared the complete set of fan insights on attention, CHL games are providing a a wide range of areas with both leagues strong enough entertainment product to and clubs to improve their own marketing continue to draw in crowds. and commercial decision-making. Ultimately, the survey will therefore provide the basis for the CHL to continue 3. THE CHL OFFERS SOME OF to grow, and continue to produce the very EUROPE’S HIGHEST-QUALITY SPORT best ice hockey in Europe. The survey found that ice hockey fans love the CHL for two main reasons: watching the best teams in Europe from different countries compete, and seeing the best hockey players from around Europe playing alongside, and against, each other.
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 37
FAN SURVEY MARKETING
“I LOVE WATCHING THE CHL GAMES AND ENJOY HAVING OTHER CLUBS AND THEIR FANS VISIT MY TOWN OR TO TRAVEL ABROAD TO SUPPORT MY TEAM.”
“ I LOVE THE FACT THAT AS HOCKEY FANS WE CAN ENJOY ATTENDING GAMES TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH WE SUPPORT DIFFERENT CLUBS. HEALTHY RIVALRIES IS WHAT MAKES HOCKEY SO BEAUTIFUL. AT CHL GAMES, THERE’S A NICE INTERNATIONAL MIX AND A GREAT ATMOSPHERE”. 38 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
“THE BEST THING ABOUT CHL IS THAT IT CONNECTS PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WHO SHARE THE SAME PASSION. FOR ME THERE’S NOTHING LIKE MEETING PLAYERS, FANS AND ALL THE OTHER HOCKEY PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.”
“I FEEL PROUD WHEN MY TEAM QUALIFIES, AND US WINNING CHL-GAMES IS A HIGHLIGHT IN OUR CLUB HISTORY.”
21K
SURVEY RESPONSES FROM ICE HOCKEY FANS ACROSS EUROPE
“I SEE A BIG PROGRESS OF CHL EVERY YEAR. I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE MY TEAM PLAY IN THE CHL AGAIN.”
74%
OF FANS ARE UNDER 45 AND THE MAJORITY ARE INNOVATORS
“I LOVE SEEING HOCKEY GROW IN EUROPE! AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF TEAMS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER.”
95%
FANS SPEND MORE THAN
6 HOURS
OF FANS SAID ARENA ATMOSPHERE A WEEK CONSUMING ICE WAS CRITICAL TO THE HOCKEY CONTENT ONLINE LIVE EXPERIENCE
72%
78%
69%
TOP THREE INDUSTRIES FANS WORK IN;
57%
35% 36%
OF FANS THINK RIVALRY IS IMPORTANT TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME
IT, SERVICE & EDUCATION
OF FANS WITH CHILDREN BRING THEM TO THE GAMES
OF FANS DRINK BEER AT ICE HOCKEY GAMES
FANS OWN AT LEAST ONE CAR
OF FANS EAT SAUSAGES AT GAMES
92%
OF CHL ATTENDERS SAY THEY WILL ATTEND AT LEAST AS OFTEN IN THE FUTURE
OF FANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PURCHASE BRANDS PRODUCTS IF THEY ARE PARTNERED WITH HOCKEY
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 39
DIGITAL MEDIA It’s not just on the ice where the Champions Hockey League continues to develop. The competition’s digital offering continues to grow each season across a variety of platforms to bring fans closer to the league and players thorough the season. NEW WEBSITE Launched in conjunction with the new brand and visual identity, the CHL’s new home on the web went live at last year’s General Assembly. Built by one of the leading digital services agencies in sports Omnigon, the new website gave the competition a fresh look and added capabilities. NEW APP Available for download in August, the new CHL App was more than just ‘stats in your hand’. The app and website were directly linked allowing news and articles to be viewed across both platforms easily, videos to be watched directly in the app, and the full integrated gamecentre.
40 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
PREDICTION GAME A brand new fan experience for the 2017/18 season, the ‘CHL Predictions’ game allowed fans to guess the scores for all 125 games during the season, with prizes for the best players after each stage. Fans also had ‘pucks’ to gamble on certain games, allowing them to 2x or 3x their points. CHL ON NHL18 For the first time ever, hockey fans around the world could play the CHL on EA Sports’ NHL18. The game featured all 32 teams with their players, CHL team uniforms, and arena atmospheres. Players could take their team from the Group Stage all the way through to lifting the trophy in the Final. NEW ‘FEATURE GAME’ CONCEPT To take fans closer to CHL games, a ‘Feature Game’ for each Game Day was chosen. Our social media team created extra content on location from each feature game, such as live morning skates & fan interviews, and Instagram Stories of Game Day build up.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
LIVE VIDEOS
WATCH FOR FREE The CHL reached fans around the world for free this season with live streams available on the official website of every game at no cost. Games were only blocked if they were televised in the user’s country! HASHTAG BATTLE Returning from the 2016/17 Final, the Hashtag battle was used to see who had the better fans on social media – Växjö Lakers or JYP Jyväskylä, encouraging them to post pictures with team-specific hashtags. Lakers’ fans were the best on the night.
To take fans closer to the CHL experience, more live videos were produced over a variety of social media platforms. At the draw in May, guests from a handful of teams gave their reactions just a few minutes after the teams had been placed into their groups, we heard from from both coaches and captains live the day before the final, plus fans were also taken behind the scenes to final game. NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED The first CHL Newsletter was sent out shortly before the 2018 Final. Targeting fans as a prelude to the Final, the newsletter was ghost-written as Triple Gold Club member Håkan Loob’s reasoning as to why people should tune in and watch even if their own team wasn’t playing. The newsletter reached over 13,000 fans worldwide and, notably, was most popular in the USA.
2.1
PLAYING THE FINAL ONLINE If fans could play their own final on NHL18, why not let the players try too? So that’s what happened in Växjö as Linus Högberg (Lakers) and Arttu Likola (JYP) played out the final matchup Monday evening in Växjö. For the record, Likola won 5-1 as almost 20,000 fans tuned to in watch!
MIO
VIDEO VIEWS IN TOTAL
13K FANS REACHED WITH NEWSLETTER
3.5 MIO
+19% IN AVERAGE FOR FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
FANS REACHED ON WEB
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
41
GAME STATISTICS TECHNOLOGY
NEW STATISTICS SYSTEM The Champions Hockey League not only improved in terms of competition format and brand, the league also started to deliver its true potential in terms of collecting and displaying game statistics. Cooperating with a new statistic partner, Prague based «eSports media», much more data is now collected at CHL games - and displayed on the league’s digital platforms, as well as provided to the broadcasters. “We intend to set a standard in Europe – not only by delivering high-class ice hockey in the rinks, but also regarding game statistics“, CHL Sport Manager Alex Jäger said. “Data is king – but it’s not only about the numbers, it’s also about the stories they tell us. We have to bring the statistics to life.” Together with their partners, the CHL has developed several visualisations in order to make game statistics more concrete and appealing to fans.
“Way too often, ice hockey statistics are only collected by, and available to, coaches, media and hockey nerds; instead of presenting the data in a manner so the casual fan enjoys finding out about them,” Jäger continued. The CHL wants to do better and to deliver their vision “Giving the fans Europe’s most exciting hockey experience” not only focused on the game, but also as a crucial element for the league’s digital platforms. By providing a modern gamecentre including shot maps and shot zone graphics, as well as team and player comparison features, the new approach to game statistics has helped to bring fan experience to a next level. But that was not all. The CHL is keen to further develop in this area, be it by collecting even more statistical data or by processing the existing data in new ways. Jäger has plenty of ideas in mind: “For example, we should make use of the game statistics to identify our stars, the ‘one out of hundreds‘,” he said. “Having in mind that fans often don’t know teams and players from other countries, data can help us to create CHL stars known across borders, transfer knowledge and finally grow our product.” A big challenge, to be tackled next.
SCAN THE CODE AND WATCH OUR STATISTICS VIDEO! 42 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
HOW THE CHL GAME STATISTICS ARE COLLECTED: OFF-SEASON • Clubs arrange their statistic teams for CHL games and name a dedicated Result Manager who acts as main contact for the league • CHL provides tablets with dedicated software to clubs • Clubs receive multi-level training & education on CHL statistic system Video & PDF manuals Video & PDF training Training & education workshop Training & education skype sessions Run a test game
GAME DAYS • 6 statisticians per CHL game, supplied by the home team – 1 scorekeeper on rink level, responsible for rosters, line-ups, goals, assists, penalties, +/-, saves – using a laptop – 4 scouters in the stands, responsible for shot attempts, face-offs, time-on ice for both teams – using tablets with a dedicated software – 1 spotter in the stands, helping his colleagues • CHL statistics situation room in Prague, responsible for monitoring all games, hotline for clubs, technical support
REAL TIME OUTPUTS
5 people 4 scouters 1 spotter
Scorekeepers
roster * line-up * goals * assists * penalties - +/- * saves
1 person
data export feeds
4 tablets
server: data storage
shot attempts * face-offs * time of ice
dedicated WI-FI
gameday hotline, technical support
Statistical team
web, apps
broadcasters
arena
1 notebook special modules
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 43
FINNISH PRESS TRIP MEDIA
TOUR DE CHL In order to develop a young product such as the CHL, not just the participating clubs, their players and coaches play a key role; but also the leagues’ TV partners and other media outlets who have the power to create credibility and visibility for the competition. Someone who has always recognised this fact, is Markus Autero, Head of Sports at MTV Finland, the CHL’s broadcast partner in the country. It therefore was not surprising that it was Markus and his team who came up with a brave and unconventional idea prior the 2017/18 season: Take Finnish journalists to central Europe and show them the spirit of the CHL. The idea was quickly adopted by the clubs and the CHL. “The CHL did a great job in changing the format and the qualification criteria, as well as developing their new brand. The level of competition is very high and the clubs deliver great ice hockey,” Autero said. “But it is a challenge to create a need and value for a new competition, especially in a saturated ice hockey market like ours.” It comes down to what is unique about the CHL. “The CHL is a beautiful clash of different cultures – on and off the ice. Witnessing the traditions, passion and
professionalism of other ice hockey cultures is an eye opening experience. That understanding is the foundation of the real story of the Champions Hockey League.” Finally, at end of August, a group of nine selected journalists traveled to Switzerland and Germany for two games. On their first day, they met with CHL CEO Martin Baumann and SC Bern’s COO Rolf Bachmann for lunch at one of the club’s steakhouses, in Bern’s beautiful old town, for a down-to-earth media talk. In the evening they’ were able to experience the volume of the famous’ standing terrace in the PostFinance Arena, as TPS Turku went down 0:4 against the home team – the impressive Swiss Champions have had the CHL “injected” by their Head Coach, former Finish national coach Kari Jalonen. A day later the Finish party jumped on a bus for a five-hour drive to Munich, where IFK Helsinki faced Red Bull Munich. Again, it was a game pumped with atmosphere – and fans even got louder when the home team took the 2:1-lead in the second period. It was a lead which the German champions did not give up. Munich sent the Finish travelers back home with the second loss in a row (1:4) – but not without giving them a reconciliatory meal in their famous VIP hospitality first.
CHL MEDIA EVENTS 2017/18 14 AUGUST 2017: EBEL MEDIA DAY IN SALZBURG 15 AUGUST 2017: CZECH CHL PRE-SEASON PRESS CONFERENCE IN PRAGUE 16 AUGUST 2017: GERMAN CHL PRE-SEASON PRESS CONFERENCE IN MUNICH 21 AUGUST 2017: SWISS CHL PRE-SEASON PRESS CONFERENCE IN ZURICH 21 AUGUST 2017: FINNISH CHL PRE-SEASON PRESS CONFERENCE IN HELSINKI 22 AUGUST 2017: SWEDISH CHL MEDIA EVENT IN MALMÖ 26-27 AUGUST 2017: FINNISH “TOUR DE CHL” TO BERN & MUNICH 7 NOVEMBER 2017: ROUND OF 16 – 1 HOUR PRE-GAME PRESS BRIEFING IN TŘINEC 5 FEBRUARY 2018: PRE-FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE IN VÄXJÖ
44 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
In Bern, having the possibility to interview the club representatives about their experience with the CHL, and also about the club’s operations and their business model in general, gave a new perspective for writing articles about the CHL. Further, the game atmosphere differed considerably from Finland as there were 6000 spectators in the arena – in Finland, ice-hockey games have significantly fewer spectators at FROM THE JOURNALIST’S POINT OF VIEW that time of the year before the national leagues has begun. The next day offered Although several Finnish teams have us a new experience as we discovered participated at the Champions Hockey German elite club ice hockey in Munich. League since its inception, our own Liiga So far, not much has been reported in and the KHL (with Jokerit Helsinki) still Finland about the DEL, so that game also get much more media attention in Finland. gave us many new angles for articles. In addition, only a few journalists from Finland have been reporting about CHL In order to develop European club ice games outside their country, as resources hockey further, it is definitely needed for are always limited. Therefore, it was a very ice hockey journalists to travel with the welcome opportunity to be part of the ‘Tour teams to away games. It gives them new de CHL’ - and to travel with Finnish teams to perspectives for their articles, and our CHL games in Switzerland and Germany. Tour de CHL served this purpose well. Otto Palojärvi, reporter of uusisuomi.fi and Etelä-Suomen Media
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46 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
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CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE
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HALL OF FAME
CHAMPIONS
2015
2016
2017
2018
LULEÅ HOCKEY (SWE)
FRÖLUNDA INDIANS (SWE)
FRÖLUNDA INDIANS (SWE)
JYP JYVÄSKYLÄ (FIN)
TOP SCORER 2015
2016
2017
2018
MATHIS OLIMB
RYAN LASCH
CASEY WELLMAN
FREDRIK PETTERSSON
26PTS 48 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
16PTS
14PTS
16PTS
NORDICBET MVPs 2015
2016
2017
2018
MATHIS OLIMB
RYAN LASCH
JOEL LUNDQVIST
ŠIMON HRUBEC
ALL TIME RECORDS – All time Top Scorer: 47 points - Ryan Lasch (Frölunda Indians, SC Bern, TPS Turku) – Most games played (player): 42 games - Arvid Lundberg (Växjö Lakers and Skellefteå AIK), Robin Figren (HV71 Jönköping and Frölunda Indians) – Most points (team): 106 points - Frölunda Indians – Most games (team): 47 games - Frölunda Indians – Longest winning streak: 8 - Frölunda Indians in 2016/17 – Most shutouts: 6 - Sami Aittokallio (Kärpät Oulu) – Youngest scorer ever: Michal Teplý (Bílí Tygři Liberec) - 16 years, 4 months, 14 days when scoring on 11 October 2017 against HC Davos – Oldest scorer ever: Petteri Nummelin (TPS Turku) - 42 years, 11 months, 9 days when scoring on 3 November 2015 against Storhamar Hamar – Fastest Goal: Rhett Rakhshani - 5 seconds after face-off, Stavanger Oilers vs. Malmö Redhawks, 26 August 2017 – Attendance Record: 14,567 – SC Bern vs Sparta Prague (7 December 2016)
CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 49
WORD FROM THE WINNERS
WORD FROM THE WINNERS Our CHL season in 2017/18 was a great story, both on the ice and off the ice. At JYP Jyväskylä, we see the development of European club ice hockey as a cornerstone for the future of this sport. Over the past two seasons we have been extremely happy with what we have experienced in the Champions Hockey League. Straight from the beginning of this CHL season, our home arena in Jyväskylä was full of supporters at full voice. They witnessed top class hockey being played in all three of our home games in the group stage. Away from home in Vienna, Zug and Grodno we learned a lot from the organizations we met – again, not only off the ice but on it, too. And again, the level of hockey was very good which meant we had to fight hard to stay in the competition. After the group stage we successfully beat our Finnish rivals Tappara, and then Kometa Brno and Oceláři Třinec from the Czech Republic as we reached the final. The atmosphere in our last home game against Třinec was something we’ve never experienced before – both fans were fantastic. This was the game that ultimately sealed CHL’s position in our supporters’ hearts, it was a fantastic night. And more was to follow of course.
50 SEASON REVIEW 2017/18
The CHL final in Växjö was a very high quality event that highlighted the successful CHL season. A full house witnessed great hockey, and hundreds of our supporters from Jyväskylä saw the team claim one of the greatest single victories in JYP’s history with the European Championship. An outstanding CHL season for JYP was greatly celebrated in our home town of Jyväskylä. JYP gained international attention we’d never seen before. Our season offered a lot of media time to our partners for example on TSN in Canada and on the NHL network’s broadcasts like NHL on the fly. The trophy has been touring our community at local schools and events. We’ll give it back for now, but we’ll be coming after it very soon…
Aku Vallenius CEO JYP Jyväskylä
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