Monday, 12. June 2023 | Portrait of Red Bull München's CHL opponent HC Kosice
A part of Munich's history: A portrait of HC KosiceSlovakian champion again guest at Oberwiesenfeld// CHL - PORTRAITThe countdown is on! In less than twelve weeks, the Champions League will kick off the 2023/24 season, so it's high time to take a closer look at the Red Bulls' group opponents. Today, we're off to Slovakia - to HC Kosice to be precise.Kosice is located in the east of the country on the Hornad River, not far from the borders with Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. After the capital Bratislava, Kosice is the second largest city in Slovakia with approximately 240,000 inhabitants. In 2013 Kosice was elected European Capital of Culture.
Back on the throne: Kosice on the trail of the Red Bulls
The club has consistently played in the top division since 1964. Two championship titles (1986 and 1988) were won during its time in the CSSR. In 1993, the Slovak Extraliga was founded, and Kosice has been a permanent compenent ever since. Alongside HC Slovan Bratislava, the current Slovak champions are the country's most successful club with nine championships.
Between 2009 and 2015 alone, the team reached the final seven times in a row. Five times it was enough for the big coup in the end. This year's title was the first since 2015, and after finishing first in the main round, the team made a commanding run through the playoffs. In the best-of-seven final series, Kosice beat HKM Zvolen with a 4:1 record.
The home strength in the 8,347-seat Steel Aréna was particularly reliable. Kosice also had the best defense with only 104 goals conceded in 46 games in the preliminary round. 150 own goals were the second-highest figure.
Die K.o.-Phase der CHL erklärt
// CHL - AKTUELLES
CHL return after six years
Last season's title win marked the team's fourth appearance in the Champions League and its first return to the top flight since the 2016/17 season.
In 2016 and 2017, Kosice made it to the knockout round, while the team was knocked out in the group stage on its debut in 2015. In 18 CHL games, the team has six wins, one draw and eleven defeats with a goal difference of 37:50.
A familiar face at Oberwiesenfeld
Canadian Dan Ceman has been coaching the team for almost two years. The 49-year-old has previously won championships in Denmark and Slovakia during his coaching career. In goal are the two champion goalies Dominik Riečický and Jaroslav Janus, who recently shared the assignments.
The defense is led by Jordon Southorn. The Canadian was the top scoring defenseman with eight goals and 32 assists. Munich hockey fans should be familiar with the Swede Jens Olsson. The 38-year-old played 50 games for EHC Red Bull München in the 2011/12 season. Today, the veteran wears the blue-orange jersey and is still one of the top performers. Otherwise, many Slovakian cracks are under contract.
The top scorer on offense is a Finn. Joona Jääskeläinen scored 54 points. The attacker is supported by captain Michal Chovan (47 points). Brett Pollock has already played for Nuremberg and Schwenningen in the PENNY DEL.
The current figurehead of Slovakian ice hockey was even born in Kosice. Juraj Slafkovský, number-one draft pick of the NHL in 2022, played for the HC in his youth. The 19-year-old just completed his first season in the jersey of the Montreal Canadiens.
Munich vs. Kosice: Two historic victories
On August 20, 2015, the paths of the Red Bulls and HC Kosice crossed for the first time. In the very first Champions League match in our club's history, Michael Wolf scored a hattrick and Jeremy Dehner scored in a 4-2 opening group stage win. For the second leg eight days later, Mads Christensen scored the golden goal for a 1-0 win at the Olympia-Eisstadion. The win made Munich the first German club at the time to advance to the knockout round of the CHL.
Six years later, the two teams faced each other again. Yasin Ehliz, Jonathon Blum, Ben Smith and Frederik Tiffels were our scorers in the 4-1 win at Red Bulls Salute 2021.
HC Kosice
Year of foundation: 1962
Club colors: blue, orange, white
League: Tipos Extraliga
Venue: Steel Aréna
Capacity: 8,347 seats
Head coach: Dan Ceman
Successes: 2x Czechoslovak Champion (1986, 1988), 9x Slovak Champion (1995, 1996, 1999, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2023), 2x CHL-K.o round (2016, 2017)
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