Release from 02.03.2026

Referee Christoph Sternat ahead of CHL Final: “It’s a great honor”

Short text 207 CharactersPlain text

On Tuesday, the Champions Hockey League will feature an all-Swedish final between Frölunda Göteborg and Luleå Hockey. Officiating the match is Christoph Sternat, a referee from the win2day ICE Hockey League.

Press release 2456 CharactersPlain text

The Scandinavium Arena in Göteborg will host the season finale for the crown of European ice hockey. Frölunda, four-time CHL champions and third in the regular season standings, will enjoy home-ice advantage against Luleå, the 2015 CHL winners.

Representing the win2day ICE Hockey League on the ice at the European ice hockey showpiece is referee Christoph Sternat, who was informed of his nomination by Lyle Seitz just about two weeks ago. “It was unexpected. I had to miss the semifinals due to illness. Getting the chance to referee the final now is a huge honor. For any referee, standing on the ice at the end of a tournament or championship is a career highlight,” says the Carinthian referee, who has been a professional official for around one and a half years.

The appointment is also a confirmation of his path: “You invest a lot and make sacrifices for the sport. That makes it even more special to have the opportunity to showcase what Austrian referees are capable of on such a big stage.”

Sternat has officiated 22 CHL games and has also worked at multiple IIHF tournaments, including the 2025 IIHF U20 World Championship Division IA as well as several senior and junior world championships. In the win2day ICE Hockey League, he has refereed over 400 games, including 60 playoff matches and five final series. Now, the 34-year-old is looking forward to the next career highlight: “I’m preparing especially intensively for this game. As a referee, you review the CHL rules in detail, since they differ from our league regulations in some points. I have already officiated Luleå games in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, and I know Frölunda well. I know I’ll be on the ice with top players, and I expect fast, fair hockey and a fantastic atmosphere.”

The second head referee will be Mikael Holm, who was also on duty at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Sternat has worked with the Swede before at international tournaments: “He’s one of Europe’s top referees, and it makes me proud to officiate the final together with him. Of course, it’s always easier when you already know each other,” says the Carinthian, who is also looking forward to the upcoming championship phase in the win2day ICE Hockey League: “One highlight follows another. The playoffs will be extremely exciting – I expect long, intense series.”

Copyright: EC-KAC/Nadine Pessentheiner