Wednesday, 22. July 2026 |
CHL away game vs. Växjö Lakers
On September 11th in Ängelholm against Rögle BK, the Red Bulls will travel directly to Växjö Lakers for their second CHL away game on September 13th. Salzburg will thus face a finalist and a semifinalist of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) within three days.
The 2024/25 CHL season, which saw the Red Bulls reach the quarterfinals, was their second-best season ever in Europe's premier hockey league. Among the standout results of the regular season was their 3-1 victory in Växjö; later, the Red Bulls eliminated the Lahti Pelicans before being stopped from advancing to the semifinals by Färjestad BK. Overall, the Red Bulls have won three of the five matchups they have played against the Växjö Lakers in the last eight years.
Four-time Swedish Champions
Promoted to the top Swedish league in 2011, the Lakers reached the playoffs for the first time two years later, a feat they have continued to achieve. They celebrated their first Swedish championship title in 2015, followed by three more in 2018, 2021, and 2023. Last season, they finished the regular season in third place. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Brynäs IF 4-1, but were eliminated in the semifinals by Rögle BK with a 1-4 loss.
The head coach is 49-year-old Björn Hellkvist, who took over the team last year and can rely on an all-Swedish coaching and support staff. The team itself is also comprised of three-quarters Swedish players, reinforced by six imports (three Finns, two Americans, and one Canadian).
With Morgan Anderberg, the Lakers also have a young forward with NHL ambitions on their roster. The 18-year-old was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in June but is currently still playing for the Växjö Lakers.
Red Bulls Salute Winners 2024
If you invite Swedish teams to the Red Bulls Salute, there's a good chance they'll win the Red Bulls' international invitational tournament. Last year it was Rögle BK (see team introduction last week), and the year before that, it was the Växjö Lakers who secured the first title of the season. They won 4-3 in overtime in the final against the ZSC Lions, and in the semifinals, the Swedes defeated Red Bull Munich 4-0.
Vida Arena with high attendance
The Red Bulls can expect a packed house in Växjö. The Vida Arena, with a capacity of 5,750 spectators, has seen increasing attendance figures in recent years. Last season, an average of nearly 5,300 fans attended the Lakers' games, representing a strong occupancy rate of over 92%.
Alan Letang, Head Coach EC RedBull Salzburg
"The Lakers are incredibly well-organized and play with great discipline. They have excellent puck control, close down the neutral zone, and force their opponents into mistakes. Our challenge will be to match their patience. We can't afford any self-sabotage."
Växjö Lakers | Factbox
Founded: 1997
League: SHL
Rink: Vida Arena | 5,750 spectators
2025/26 Season: Semifinals
Achievements: Four-time SHL Champion
2025/26 CHL: –
Head Coach: Björn Hellkvist
Website: www.vaxjolakers.se
CHL | Regular Season of the Red Bulls
Thu, 3 Sep | 7.15 p.m. | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Kölner Haie
Sat, 5 Sep | 7.15 p.m. | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec
Fri, 11 Sep | 7 p.m. | Rögle Ängelholm vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Sun, 13 Sep | 3 p.m. | Växjö Lakers vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Wed, 7 Okt | 8.20 p.m. | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Eisbären Berlin
Tue, 13 Okt | 7 p.m. | Skellefteå AIK vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Mit Video
Only four weeks until the first preseason game// TRAINING
Rögle BK kicks off the Swedish season// CHL | OPPONENTS REGULAR SEASON
3.404 Liberec completes Salzburg's first CHL home weekend// CHL | OPPONENTS REGULAR SEASON