2014-2015 Champions Hockey League

[doug88]

What would change if KHL/Russian clubs played CHL? Would swiss fans come? I heard that swiss fans love russian hockey and dont like other euro clubs hockey.

I don't think it would change much, swiss medias don't talk about KHL teams or russian players. As I said before, I'll only go to see a swedish team. In Switzerland we're focused on the NLA, our national teams and for some, the NHL. Why would we be interested in the KHL? I can barely name 3 players who play over there and to be honest I don't think we really care about the KHL in Switzerland.

 

[Atas2000]

(Sweden is the best european championship to me)

Not even close, but it seems to be the perception in Switzerland.

 

[stv11]

What would change if KHL/Russian clubs played CHL? Would swiss fans come? I heard that swiss fans love russian hockey and dont like other euro clubs hockey.

The only foreign league with any coverage in Switzerland is the NHL, no one ever talks about any other league. Specialised websites may mention how Swiss players in SHL, AHL and Canadian junior are doing, but that's it.

Regarding the Champions' league, the following of international club competition always depended of how well the clubs taking part were willing to market it. ZSC, Lugano and Ambrì managed to create interest during their run in the old CHL/Continental Cup/EHL. Bern and Fribourg, not so much.

 

[vorky]

I don't think it would change much, swiss medias don't talk about KHL teams or russian players. As I said before, I'll only go to see a swedish team. In Switzerland we're focused on the NLA, our national teams and for some, the NHL. Why would we be interested in the KHL? I can barely name 3 players who play over there and to be honest I don't think we really care about the KHL in Switzerland.

Of course, you dont have swiss KHL teams, so media dont talk about KHL. It might change if there is swiss KHL team. Dont you think?

I did not want to talk about KHL but about CHL. I thought that russian clubs would be more attractive for swiss fans than german/swedish/finnish.

 

[vorky]

Klaus Zaugg

The two franchises in Zurich (ZSC Lions) and Bern (SC Bern) are both looking since years for international competition to break out of the local market. They are also both involved in the European Trophy. Both franchises are financially very strong and when there will be an serious opportunity to join the KHL, they will for sure listen very carefully

There is only one Champions League making money: The Champions League in football. All other sports can not make money with a european league. Simply because there is no real TV-Business. Only football is popular in all important markets in Europa. The only way to create an international league in Europe is the KHL. The reason is very simple. No European Hockey league will ever have a serious TV coverage in all imporant markets in western europe – no TV, no business. But there will come a time the russian market will become very, very important and the KHL will be the league to open this market. It’s also impossible to create a strong international league in europe with the IIHF – those guys are simply not smart enough to create anything like an international league. Remember how badly the managed the Hockey Champions League – it was ridiculously. The European Champions Cup (ECC, now CHL) will be the same desaster. And it will never work, when several leagues are creating something together – the European Trophy, and all those ideas are more or less just jokes. There is no strong central power with enough money to run a competition – the IIHF has not the money and not the authorithy do do so – thats completely different from soccer. There, the UEFA has the money and the power vs. the national federations and leagues. In hockey, the national federations and leagues do more or less ignore what the IIHF wants. The only way for international club competition is a strong central power from a big market with big money – a league like the KHL.

I dont think so. The ECC is just a waste of time. There is not enough TV-coverage (you need the coverage from the big and real TV-Stations), no strong central leadership Рas I said, the IIHF is not able to operate a european league - and there is simply not enough interest in the local markets. No fan will pay a buck to see Fr̦lunda or HIFK in Bern or Berlin. And if the KHL does not join the ECC, the ECC has no chance. You can find the ECC-model in the internet Рbut its a waste of time to study those details.

If he is right, then CHL will fail again. And swiss clubs would have only option for international hockey - the KHL.

 

[stv11]

Of course, you dont have swiss KHL teams, so media dont talk about KHL. It might change if there is swiss KHL team. Dont you think?

I did not want to talk about KHL but about CHL. I thought that russian clubs would be more attractive for swiss fans than german/swedish/finnish.

I don't think so. The average fan is clueless about the level of foreign leagues, marketing those game could be successfull by focusing on the fact that the opponent is Russian/Swedish/Czech (countries that have a certain "hockey aura" around them). Maybe CSKA or Dynamo are more recognizable name, but that's it. Others would be seen as "this team from a country that dominates international hockey", whether it's Ak Bars, Pardubice or Frölunda.

EDIT: And don't focus too much on what Zaugg has to say. He's a classic tabloid journalist who will write whatever is needed to make sure someone reads him.

 

[vorky]

I dont care if he is tabloid writer or not. He is right in his analysis of CHL failure and KHL as only option for QUALITY international club competition in Europe.

 

[SCBdude]

I dont care if he is tabloid writer or not. He is right in his analysis of CHL failure and KHL as only option for QUALITY international club competition in Europe.

But he makes it sound like they are desperate to play internationally.
While they do want a good European competition, they aren't desperate enough to leave NLA because of that.

 

[doug88]

Not even close, but it seems to be the perception in Switzerland.

Then what is the best european championship?

 

[Jussi]

I really hope no swiss team will be leaving for the KHL, even though, it is more than unlikely..

That's exactly what it is, German and Swiss federations are very unlikely to give permission for a club to leave to KHL these days.

 

[Babula]

But he makes it sound like they are desperate to play internationally.

Yes, They are.

I don't think so. The average fan is clueless about the level of foreign leagues, marketing those game could be successfull by focusing on the fact that the opponent is Russian/Swedish/Czech (countries that have a certain "hockey aura" around them). Maybe CSKA or Dynamo are more recognizable name, but that's it. Others would be seen as "this team from a country that dominates international hockey", whether it's Ak Bars, Pardubice or Frölunda.

It's pretty same as here in Czech republic.

 

[PuckOut]

Regarding the lack of money and TV-contracts. In Sweden, the TV rights were sold to state television for the first 3 seasons. Which while not bringing in the biggest money in swedish television, this brings a huge potential audience. Not a bad move for a tournament that needs to be established among viewers and fans.

If this turns out to be succesful ratings wise, advertisers will of course follow suit and money will begin to pour in.

No one should expect this tournament to be an immediate smash hit, but the foundation regarding growing the tournament is in place in Sweden at least. Personally as a hockey fan, and as a member of my club etc. I have no problem with slow but steady growth. I don't see international hockey as a make or break in the coming season. I will support it and I hope it can add some great flavour to the hockey seasons to come.

The most important thing for success will be patience, not changing it up completely every year.

 

[Atas2000]

Then what is the best european championship?

The KHL obviously, followed by the NLA actually.

 

[Babula]

If this turns out to be succesful ratings wise, advertisers will of course follow suit and money will begin to pour in.

No one should expect this tournament to be an immediate smash hit, but the foundation regarding growing the tournament is in place in Sweden at least. Personally as a hockey fan, and as a member of my club etc. I have no problem with slow but steady growth. I don't see international hockey as a make or break in the coming season. I will support it and I hope it can add some great flavour to the hockey seasons to come.

The most important thing for success will be patience, not changing it up completely every year.

How many years (lives) we need to be patience for success of this project ? For patience I have to go back to nineties...

 

[Jussi]

How many years (lives) we need to be patience for success of this project ? For patience I have to go back to nineties...

It's exactly due to past experiences why they are taking the slow and steady approach.

 

[Babula]

It's exactly due to past experiences why they are taking the slow and steady approach.

ok whatever you meaning. Official statements of clubs sounds like usually. Conception looks weak as well. But I will wait with patience for miracle, because of hope dies last. Thank you guys for your faith.

 

[ViD]

Then what is the best european championship?

is this like serious?

 

[Jussi]

The KHL obviously, followed by the NLA actually.

A Russian league followed a Swiss league... Not sure you understood the question.

 

[stv11]

is this like serious?

Why wouldn't it be serious? For the average fan, Sweden = good at hockey, Russia = good at hockey. Knowledge of foreign leagues usually don't go any further than that.

And for the record, I watch a fair amount of SHL and I think it's a bit better than the NLA. It lacks a bit in pace and intensity, but the skill level is definitely higher.

 

[JFG]

I would love for this to become a huge thing. European hockey needs it.

 

[Urbanskog]

Why wouldn't it be serious? For the average fan, Sweden = good at hockey, Russia = good at hockey. Knowledge of foreign leagues usually don't go any further than that.

Anyone with some knowledge of hockey knows that the KHL is unarguably the best league in Eurasia.

 

[Atas2000]

The biggest probblem here is obviously that the IIHF is making the same mistake as with the NHL. Without finding common ground with the KHL(and in contrast to the NHL KHL was willing to find common ground) they will have just another tournament some ppl care for and some don't. They will never come close to football's Champion's League. I think the emphasis is on Rene's focus on making money for himself, i.e. IIHF. Transpiring from his comments about the current WC. The IIHF is not willing to create a real Champion's League.

 

[Babula]

The biggest probblem here is obviously that the IIHF is making the same mistake as with the NHL. Without finding common ground with the KHL(and in contrast to the NHL KHL was willing to find common ground) they will have just another tournament some ppl care for and some don't. They will never come close to football's Champion's League. I think the emphasis is on Rene's focus on making money for himself, i.e. IIHF. Transpiring from his comments about the current WC. The IIHF is not willing to create a real Champion's League.

yeah, they are able to create real spite hockey league only.

 

[stv11]

Anyone with some knowledge of hockey knows that the KHL is unarguably the best league in Eurasia.

90% of people attending games don't have much knowledge of hockey. I know people who have season tickets for their local NLA team who couldn't tell you that SKA is a better team than Djurgarden.

 

[Slimmy]

The biggest probblem here is obviously that the IIHF is making the same mistake as with the NHL. Without finding common ground with the KHL(and in contrast to the NHL KHL was willing to find common ground) they will have just another tournament some ppl care for and some don't. They will never come close to football's Champion's League. I think the emphasis is on Rene's focus on making money for himself, i.e. IIHF. Transpiring from his comments about the current WC. The IIHF is not willing to create a real Champion's League.

As far as I know, IIHF didn't create the CHL, a constilation of clubs in europe did.
I believe IIHF only owns a minor share in the league.