The 2026–2027 Season Is Here: Tornado Continues Its Preparation

17th September 2026

Tornado Luxembourg is preparing for its third consecutive season in Division 2. With a number of changes to the roster during the summer, the team is now entering the final stage of its preparation ahead of the new campaign.
The first opportunity to see the new-look squad in action came last weekend in Épinal, where Tornado played three games as part of a pre-season tournament.
The team recorded a 7–5 win against Division 1 side Strasbourg, followed by a 7–1 defeat to the hosts Épinal, also playing in Division 1. Tornado then closed the weekend with a 7–2 victory against Division 2 opponent Châlons.

The results provide some interesting early indications, but they remain part of a preparation phase in which the main objective is to evaluate players, combinations and roles rather than to draw conclusions about the season ahead.

A summer of changes
Head Coach Christer Eriksson explained that the trip to Épinal was primarily about bringing the group together and giving the coaching staff the opportunity to assess the squad.

“It’s a bit early today to say whether we have ‘succeeded’ this summer in building the team we were looking for, but the feeling so far is really good. We started our pre-season with a welcoming evening at our partner hotel Van der Valk, a BBQ and indoor surfing. A really good way to come together and get to know each other, players, staff and families.”
The weekend in Épinal continued that team-building process, with players and staff staying together and spending several days as a group.

“The weekend was first of all about team building. Players and staff lived together in a farm, a sort of dormitory, very simple but very good for getting to know each other better. On the ice, the objective was to see everyone in action and try some combinations and different roles.”
For the coaching staff, there is still plenty of work to do before the regular season begins.

“The results were not the objective at all. Two wins against Strasbourg and Châlons and 16 goals in three games is of course positive, but it is still pre-season. The most important thing is to continue working and to build the group we need for the season.”

A competitive Division 2
Tornado enters its third season in Division 2 knowing that the competition will again be demanding.

The objective is to continue developing as a team, while adapting to a league in which the level of competition continues to be high.

“This is our third season, and everyone who has been through it knows it is the difficult one: the season where you have to confirm that you belong at this level. We hope to continue where we ended last season, with good results, a full house at home and a good play-off position secured as quickly as possible.”
“The whole league has really raised its level too, so we are looking forward to a tough and high-level competition.”

New faces, familiar colours
Several players who were part of last season's squad have moved on. Tornado would like to thank Jesse Miquel, Grigorijs Holodkovs, Adrien Maurer, Matthias Pibernus, Viktor Wahldén, Simon Blanchy and Ludvig Thellström for their contribution to the club. We also have a special thought for Victor Bodin and Julien Maricato, whose early-season injuries in 2025–2026 unfortunately prevented them from fully experiencing life with the group and contributing on the ice as they would have wished. To all of them, we wish you all the very best for the future.

The club has also added several new players during the summer:
Goaltenders
Clément Ginier – from Lyon (Division 1)
Max Kleiber – from Anglet (Division 2 / Ligue Magnus)

Defencemen
David Church – returning to Luxembourg from Eindhoven Kemphanen
Lélian Vix – from Strasbourg
Tristan Tagliapietra – from Châlons

Forwards
Félix Sigouin – from Canada, previously with Montreal Phoenix (QJHL)
Jan Shikera – from Pyry Hockey (Mestis, Finland)
Hugo Damy – from Nantes (Division 1)
Maxime Martin – from Épinal (Division 1)
Rowan Miller – from Eindhoven Kemphanen

The coming weeks will provide further opportunities for the coaching staff to assess the new arrivals and determine the combinations that will take the team into the regular season.

First home test: Tornado vs. Mulhouse
The next step comes this weekend at Kockelscheuer, with Tornado hosting Mulhouse in a preparation game.
This game will be another opportunity for the coaching staff to test the squad in game conditions and continue working on systems, combinations and special teams before the competitive season gets underway.
It will also be the first opportunity for supporters to see the new Tornado roster at home [Get your ticket here!].

And there is a special reason to come to Kockelscheuer:
The game against Mulhouse is the Season Card Subscribers’ Game.
Every Tornado season-ticket holder can bring one person of their choice to the game.
Season tickets are still available, so supporters who have not yet secured their subscription can still take advantage of the offer.
Tickets for the Mulhouse game are also on sale now.

The preparation continues on the ice. The season is getting closer, and there is still plenty of work ahead. See you at Kockelscheuer.

Coming up
Preparation Game
Tornado Luxembourg vs. Mulhouse
📍 Kockelscheuer
🕖 19:00

Coupe de France – Round 1
Tornado Luxembourg vs. Strasbourg
📅 26 September (19:00)
📍 Kockelscheuer

For the full Tornado roster and player statistics, visit the team's profile on Elite Prospects.