College Hockey Returns to the Spengler Cup
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College hockey is back at the world’s premier international club competition.
Written by james blennau
NCAA hockey players will head to the Spengler Cup this winter for the first time since 1982. The Spengler Cup, an international invitational competition held each year in Switzerland, features teams from across the world, including leagues from Finland, Canada, and, as always, its host organization, HC Davos, from the Swiss National League.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be sending a college hockey team to participate in the Spengler Cup,” said Hockey Coaches’ Association President and Hockey East Commissioner Steve Metcalf in an interview with the nonprofit organization College Hockey Inc. The players that get selected will have an unforgettable experience at the oldest club tournament in the world.”
The 97th edition of the competition will feature the NCAA’s “U.S. Collegiate Selects” team, in conjunction with College Hockey Inc. The last time a college team featured in the tournament was in 1982 when North Dakota’s team made the cross-continental trip. Minnesota was also featured in the 1981 edition.
With the game schedule released at a later date and rosters and coaching staffs also undecided, fans will have to patiently await who will showcase the college game on the world stage.
While college players frequently participate in the IIHF World Junior Championships, the competition is limited to the best players from each nation under 20. However, given the Spengler Cup's club-based format, players from across nations who may not have qualified for the World Juniors or those who missed their window to play in the competition can showcase their talents outside the usual pool of players in the NCAA.
Games will take place in Davos, Switzerland from Dec. 26 to 31 at the over 7,000-seat capacity Eisstadion Davos.
This year's teams will include the Collegiate Selects, IFK Helsinki from the Finnish Liiga, HC Sparta Praha from Czechia, HC Fribourg-Gotteron from the Swiss National League, Team Canada featuring players from across the AHL, ECHL and international leagues and host club HC Davos.
