Wednesday, 02. September 2026 |
CHL Regular Season | Kölner Haie
Initial Situation
The focus is initially solely on the opening game, which brings the Cologne Sharks, a formidable opponent, to Salzburg. The Rhinelanders dominated the DEL regular season last year, but were later eliminated in the semifinals. Now, the two-time DEL champion (1994/95 and 2002) and eight-time German champion comes to Salzburg to challenge the Red Bulls in the CHL for the first time.
This is only the second time the Cologne Sharks have participated in Europe's premier hockey league. In the inaugural CHL season of 2014/15, they were eliminated after the group stage – which at that time was played in groups of four – with two wins and four losses. For the Red Bulls, this is their eleventh CHL season; last year they reached the round of 16.
Statement Thomas Raffl
Red Bulls ready for the Cologne Sharks
After four preseason games, the new season is now officially underway. Following last year's quarterfinal exit in the domestic championship and a long summer of intensive preparation, the Red Bulls have integrated many new players into the team, who will be led into the 2026/27 season by a new head coach – Alan Letang. Especially in the two games at the Red Bulls Salute in Zell am See almost two weeks ago, the Salzburg team already demonstrated their character and came very close to the performance that is expected to define their game under the new coaching staff. Against the Cologne Sharks, the Red Bulls want to improve further, but are aware of the significant challenge that awaits them against the reigning German DEL regular season champions.
Duel of the 'veterans'
What Thomas Raffl is to the Red Bulls, Moritz Müller is to Cologne. The 39-year-old defenseman is entering his 24th DEL season (!) with the Sharks, the last eight of which he has played as captain. He currently has 1,183 DEL games played, a record surpassed only by his former teammate Mirko Lüdemann, who retired ten years ago with 1,197 games. For comparison, Thomas Raffl, the 40-year-old captain of the Red Bulls, currently has 1,017 league games played. This is surpassed only by his former teammate Thomas Koch, who retired three years ago.
Personnel situation
Red Bulls captain Thomas Raffl is fit again and will play his first game of the season on Thursday after missing all preseason games due to injury. Fabian Baumann (ill) and Florian Baltram (lower body injury) are not in the lineup.
Statement by Thomas Raffl
"We want to deliver the best possible performance. It might even be an advantage to face such high-caliber teams right at the start, because it means going into the game with the right amount of respect. And we have to focus on executing the fundamentals of our system correctly from the very beginning. In the CHL, we've learned over the last ten years that every team plays good hockey. The Cologne Sharks are no different. But if we bring our A-game to the table, we have a chance in every game."
Champions Hockey League
EC Red Bull Salzburg – Cologne Sharks
Thursday, September 3, 2026 | Eisarena Salzburg, 7:15 p.m.
Sporteurope.tv
CHL | Red Bulls Regular Season
Do, 03.09.2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Kölner Haie | 7.15 p.m.
Sa, 05.09.2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Bílí Tygri Liberec | 7.15 p.m.
Fr, 11.09.2026 | Växjö Lakers vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg | 7 p.m.
So, 13.09.2026 | Rögle Ängelholm vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg | 3 p.m.
Mi, 07.10.2026 | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Eisbären Berlin | 8.20 p.m.
Di, 13.10.2026 | Skellefteå AIK vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg | 7 p.m.
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CHL Kick-off against DEL Regular Season Champions Cologne Sharks// CHL | OPPONENTS REGULAR SEASON
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