Story Summary
The Champions Hockey League season begins on Thursday with six matches and four Danish players set to be involved. Joachim Blichfeld is with Tappara, Sebastian Dahm with Klagenfurt, and Frederik Storm and Patrick Russell with Kölner Haie. Köln, who qualified as winners of last season’s DEL regular season, face Salzburg. Herning Blue Fox will make their first CHL appearance on Friday, hosting Finnish side KooKoo.
Key Facts
- Champions Hockey League opens with six matches on Thursday evening.
- Joachim Blichfeld is with Tappara for their 17.30 game against Liberec.
- Plzen play Rögle at 17.30.
- Pardubice play Tychy at 18.00.
- Graz play Fribourg at 18.30.
- Sebastian Dahm is with Klagenfurt for their 19.15 game against Bordeaux.
- Salzburg play Kölner Haie at 19.15, with Frederik Storm and Patrick Russell part of the German club.
- Kölner Haie are in the CHL as winners of the DEL regular season last season.
- Herning Blue Fox will make their first Champions Hockey League appearance on Friday at 19.00 against Finnish KooKoo.
IHM Discussion
Thursday’s opening slate brings notable Danish representation, with players spread across three clubs and three matches. The Salzburg – Kölner Haie game carries particular Danish interest, as Frederik Storm and Patrick Russell are both with the German club. Joachim Blichfeld’s Tappara and Sebastian Dahm’s Klagenfurt provide further Danish links across the opening night.
Why It Matters
The early Danish presence underlines how players from a smaller hockey nation can be spread across European clubs, creating multiple focal points for fans at the start of the CHL. Herning Blue Fox’s first-ever CHL fixture is a separate national milestone: the Danish club’s home debut in the competition arrives the following evening and promises local interest beyond the Thursday schedule.
Mini Q&A
Which Danish players are with clubs in action on the CHL opening night?
Joachim Blichfeld (Tappara), Sebastian Dahm (Klagenfurt), Frederik Storm (Kölner Haie) and Patrick Russell (Kölner Haie).
Which Thursday match involves Danish interest in two players?
Salzburg v Kölner Haie at 19.15, with Frederik Storm and Patrick Russell part of Kölner Haie.
Why is Kölner Haie’s CHL place notable?
Kölner Haie are in the CHL as winners of the DEL regular season last season.
When do Herning Blue Fox make their CHL debut?
Herning Blue Fox play their first Champions Hockey League match on Friday at 19.00 at home against Finnish KooKoo.
How many CHL matches open the evening and what are the puck drop times?
Six CHL matches open the evening with kick-offs listed at 17.30, 17.30, 18.00, 18.30, 19.15 and 19.15.
What Comes Next
Herning Blue Fox will play its first Champions Hockey League match on Friday at 19.00, hosting Finnish side KooKoo.