After a two-year absence, EVZ is back on the European stage. On the first four game days, Zug will first face Luleå and Grenoble away, then ERC Ingolstadt and the Belfast Giants at home next weekend. Follow the team on their CHL road trip from August 27-30 up close and personal in the live tickers in the Game Center!
The CHL season kicks off for EVZ with two away games against Luleå Hockey on Thursday, August 28, and Grenoble on Saturday, August 30.
LULEÅ HOCKEY VS EVZ
Head coach Michael Liniger’s team faces a tough challenge right from the start of the 2025/26 CHL campaign on August 28: the reigning Swedish champions. The team from northern Sweden won the inaugural CHL in the 2014/15 season and has since participated four more times in Europe’s top competition – Luleå reached the semifinals in 2019/20 and lost to Tappara Tampere in the final in 2022/23.
«Luleå are a high-level, well-balanced team that plays with great intensity across all four lines. They’re structured, disciplined, and feature several standout players. Years of continuity within the coaching staff have helped establish a strong foundation and clear identity — one that consistently makes them a serious title contender.»
Michael Liniger, Head Coach EVZ
In Luleå, EVZ will encounter a familiar face: Brian O’Neill is embarking on his third season just south of the North Pole. The former EVZ forward shot Sweden to the championship title last year with two goals in the decisive final game.
GRENOBLE VS EVZ
Two days after the start of the season in Sweden, EVZ will face the French champions in Grenoble. The Brûleurs de Loups have already played three CHL seasons, but have never made it past the group stage. Behind the Grenoble bench is a man who knows Swiss ice hockey inside out: Per Hånberg coached SC Langenthal to the NLB championship title in his second season with the Oberaargau team in 2019. He then spent two years with EHC Kloten. His last stop in Switzerland was with EHC Visp. Grenoble players also have connections to Switzerland – 37-year-old forward Sacha Treille is the brother of Geneva coach Yorick, goalie Jakub Stepanek played a total of 31 games for SCB in the 2015/16 season, and Canadian François Beauchemin played for the Ticino Rockets (48 games) and HC Ajoie (2) in the 2021/22 season and for EHC Olten (54) two years later.
«Zug play a solid, smart game in all areas of the ice. New head coach Michael Liniger comes in from his assistant job last year. He’s a coach I have the highest respect for since we met a lot in Switzerland when I was coaching there. He will continue to build on what he and Dan Tangnes had in place. They have a lot of good players with a lot of experience.»
Per Hånberg, Head Coach Grenoble
The game on Saturday, September 30, kicks off at 8:15 p.m. and is definitely worth the trip — we’ve put together a guide to Grenoble for you here.
EVZ VS ERC INGOLSTADT
Finally, on Friday, September 5, the first home game of the season is on the schedule. The visitors will be ERC Ingolstadt from Bavaria. Founded in 1964, the club is only three years older than EVZ. The “Panthers” celebrated their only championship title to date in 2014, their 50th anniversary year. After finishing ninth in the qualifiers, the underdogs knocked out the traditional organizations Eisbären Berlin and Hamburg Freezers on their way to the title.
«ERC Ingolstadt had an impressive season, finishing first in the regular season before falling in the semifinals. Their style of play is heavily influenced by North American hockey, with key players from that system. We’re expecting a physically tough game — a real challenge for our team.»
Michael Liniger, Head Coach EVZ
Ingolstadt will also see the return of a former EVZ player: Riley Sheen, who joined Zug at the beginning of 2024 due to various injury-related absences, has been playing for the German team ever since. Last season, Sheen scored 49 points for Ingolstadt in 60 games.
EVZ VS BELFAST GIANTS
The two CHL weekends will conclude on Sunday, September 7, at 2 p.m. in the OYM hall with a match between EVZ and the Belfast Giants. Two years ago, under the new CHL format, the Northern Irish team narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs, finishing just one point behind 16th place. At that time, the Giants not only beat Red Bull Salzburg in overtime, but also earned three points against HC Bolzano and Dynamo Pardubice.
«Zug are one of the most consistent teams in Europe – high-end skill, depth, and a winning culture. They’ve been here before and know what it takes to grind out results.»
Adam Keefe, Head Coach Belfast Giants
Adam Keefe has been leading the team for eight years and is constantly developing it further. As with Ingolstadt, Belfast’s playing style is strongly influenced by North American players. They have caused quite a few surprises in the CHL in the past – thanks in part to their passionate fans, who are likely to travel to Zug in large numbers.
TICKETS FOR HOME GAMES
In October, EVZ will face Lukko Rauma away at the end of the regular season and host Czech champions Kometa Brno. More information about these games will follow after the first four game days.
