Calgary-born forward Ryan Duncan and his Red Bull Salzburg team with launch their fifth Champions Hockey League season in Cardiff Bay, South Wales on Thursday evening.
Salzburg take on Elite League champions Cardiff Devils in Cardiff Bay and the experienced Duncan says: “Champions League Hockey is always something special.
“Few teams take part and you have to fight hard for your place. Teams qualify via their national championship and then take on Europe’s top teams. There is no doubt how special it is.
“It all starts in Cardiff for us.
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“Devils might not be one of the favourites, but neither can they be discounted. For sure.
“There is a good reason they have won their championship for the last two years running. They have a lot of talented players on their roster and several who have experienced some of the best leagues in the world.
“They always get great support from their fans in their home arena. Cardiff will be a massive challenge for us.”
Former Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Portland Pirates forward Duncan, aged 33, first signed for Salzburg in 2009 and in two successive seasons he was second leading scorer in a team crowned Austrian champions.
Duncan had one season back in North America where he played for Portland before returning to Salzburg, but then headed back to Europe where he signed for Red Bull Munchen and then rejoined the Austrians in 2014.
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Salzburg are taking part in the CHL for a fifth time and their group phase begins with two away games. Duncan has played in all of Red Bulls’ matches since the start of CHL.
They start this evening (Thursday, 7.30pm UK time) and the second will be against Vaxjo in Sweden on Saturday (3pm).
Devils are the team to beat in Britain, having won back-to-back League titles and the play-offs championship.
Salzburg flew into Cardiff Airport on Wednesday and head to Vaxjo on Friday.
Devils follow their home clash with Salzburg by hosting SC Bern at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday (7.15pm).
Head coach Andrew Lord and his Devils won two of their six group fixtures last season, beating Davos and Lakers, and go into their second CHL campaign feeling confident.
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Devils have turned Ice Arena Wales into a fortress and they will be roared on by a sell-out attendance this evening.
Four players will make their competitive debut for the Devils in Thursday’s clash.
Stephen Dixon has previous CHL experience for Lulea, Tappara and Wolfsburg, while the other three new boys are tough D-man Ben Blood, Charles Linglet and Mike Hedden.
Lord is under no illusions about the test ahead, saying: “We know what Salzburg have achieved in the CHL and we know there are no easy games in this group.
Stephen Dixon. Pic: Helen Brabon.
“Hopefully, though, we can build on our results from last season.”
Tickets for both CHL games this week are on sale now ONLINE HERE or by calling 0800 0842 666 or in person at Arena reception.
Red Bull Salzburg roster:
Netminders: Steve Michalek, Lukas Herzog.
Defense: Martin Stajnoch, Alexander Pallestrang, Daniel Jakubitzka, Bobby Raymond, Brent Regner, Layne Viveiros, Mattias Trattnig, Dominique Heinrich.
Offense: Thomas Rafft, Alexander Rauchenwald, Raphael Herberger, Alexander Cijan, Michael Shiechl, Ryan Duncan, Brant Harris, Florian Baltram, Dustin Gazley, Peter Hochkofler, Mario Huber, John Hughes, Thomas Raffl, Chris VandeVelde, Christof Wappis, Dario Winkler.
The top two teams in the group will progress to the knockout stages.
Cardiff’s Champions League group fixtures:
Thursday 30: Cardiff Devils v Red Bull Salzburg (7.30pm, Champions League)
September
Saturday 1: Cardiff Devils v SC Bern (7.15pm, Champions League)
Thursday 6: Red Bull Salzburg v Cardiff Devils (7.30pm, Champions League)
Saturday 8: SC Bern v Cardiff Devils (7.45pm, Champions League)
October
Tuesday 9: Vaxjo Lakers v Cardiff Devils (6.30pm, Champions League)
Tuesday 16: Cardiff Devils v Vaxjo Lakers (7.30pm, Champions League)