It was the first triumph at its home tournament since 2011. And the timing could not have been better, as the Spengler Cup celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Few would have believed in the host’s triumph. The club was 9th in the championship standings and had up to that point not won more than two consecutive games. But during those six Boxing Week days everything came together. 4-1 against Frolunda, 4-3 against Team Canada, against Frolunda again in the semifinals (4-3) and the 5-3 win in the final over Pardubice. Not only did Davos go undefeated in 2023, but also won a tournament, which many experts considered the best of all time, or at least since the lockout in 2004.

“We have not won anything in a while, this is good for everyone”, club icon Andres Ambuhl said to the TV cameras on the ice following the 5-3 final victory on December 31, 2023. For Davos’ captain it was the third title at the home tournament after 2004 and 2006. For many younger players and Josh Holden, in his first season as head coach, it was the first time hoisting such an important trophy. And all of Davos’ players definitely want to relive that feeling in 2024.