"I can create something great."

Martin Baumann, CEO of the Champions Hockey League, explains how he ended up in European ice hockey during a trophy round.

Martin Baumann is CEO of the Champions Hockey League (CHL), in which ice hockey clubs from 13 European leagues in 14 countries have been competing against each other since 2014. On a trophy tour, the Zug native talks about his passion for this format.

Martin Baumann knows the Zugerberg Finanz Trophy. He competed in the first edition in 2005. Two days before the start of the current CHL season, he takes time out for another lap. Over the almost six kilometers, Baumann explains how he ended up in ice hockey as a former banker.

"In 2012, I felt the need to try something new," says Martin Baumann. "I wanted to get into the sport, but realized that it could be difficult or even impossible to get started." He came into contact with the Zug-based sports marketing agency Infront via skiing, in which his two children were successful. In 2013, he learned about the CHL, into which European club ice hockey was to be transferred. The open CEO position was exactly what Martin Baumann was looking for. "As a banker, I was able to gain exciting management experience all over the world, often in countries whose culture was foreign to me. Nevertheless, the cards were stacked against me. I didn't meet any of the requirements. I was neither a lawyer, nor did I know anything about marketing or ice hockey." The application process was intensive. Baumann no longer expected to be accepted when the call came that evening. "I still don't know why I got the job," says Baumann with a grin.

Baumann and his team got started as a start-up. "The process of launching something new from A to Z fascinated me. We developed the branding together with other start-ups. Everyone was passionate about creating something great."

And ice hockey has grown close to his heart. "For me, it's the most honest sport. It's tactics, speed and strength that count. These days, I can no longer manage to watch 90 minutes of football - it's too boring," says the 53-year-old with a wink.

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