For many, this announcement from the Spengler Cup organizing committee came as a surprise: instead of a Swedish or German team, this year’s tournament will, for the first time, feature a selection of players from the top U.S. college hockey league. The decision is far more than just a marketing gimmick – it marks a new chapter in the storied history of the world’s oldest club tournament.

Tradition and Innovation in Davos
For 102 years, international hockey has been played in Davos between Christmas and New Year. The Spengler Cup is regarded as the most traditional sports tournament of all. But in Davos, tradition has never meant standing still: in recent years, new ideas have continually been tested – from modified overtime rules to innovative live statistics.
The organizing committee has also often been creative in selecting participants. For example, in the 1970s, when HC Davos was not playing in the top division, the tournament was temporarily held as a national-team competition. Alongside the classic hockey nations, countries such as Poland and Japan also took part.

A First for an NCAA Select Team
Now comes another first: for the first time in tournament history, a team of selected college hockey players will compete, representing NCAA Division I Hockey – the highest college league in the U.S. Under the name U.S. Collegiate Selects, a squad of 25 top talents from across all 64 Division I teams will take the ice in Davos.
The team will be coached by three experienced college coaches: head coach Guy Gadowsky, along with assistants Jason Lammers and Mike Souza, all of whom have been behind NCAA benches for years.

Since 1948, the NCAA has organized national championships in men’s hockey, and since 2001 in women’s hockey as well. In Division I, 64 teams across six conferences battle for a spot in the prestigious Frozen Four, traditionally held in an NHL arena. Last spring, Gadowsky’s Penn State University reached the final tournament, while the title in St. Louis went to Western Michigan University, who defeated defending champions Boston University.

Older, More Experienced – and International
Although the team will carry the “college” label, the players are by no means very young. Many NCAA athletes only begin their studies at age 20 or 21, after several years in junior leagues. Seniors in their fourth year are often 23 or 24, while graduate students can be as old as 26.
The international mix also adds to the level of play: in addition to numerous Americans, NCAA rosters include players from Canada, Sweden, Finland, as well as Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The result is a physically mature and highly skilled game that differs significantly from other college sports.

A Look Back
College hockey in Davos is not entirely new: the University of Minnesota in 1981 and the University of North Dakota in 1982 both played at the Spengler Cup more than 40 years ago. But a selection of the best players from various universities is a first.
In 1988, a U.S. select team did take part, but that squad included not only college players but also established European-based professionals such as Ron Wilson, John Fritsche, and Corey Millen. That team, brought in as a “last-minute solution” after a German and a Swedish club withdrew, went on to win the 62nd edition in dominant fashion – beating Team Canada 8–1 in the final.
Whether the U.S. Collegiate Selects will perform as strongly remains to be seen. GM Steve Metcalf emphasizes: “Fans can expect a fast, talented, and hard-working team that reflects the spirit of college hockey. We aim to be both tough opponents on the ice and entertaining ambassadors for the sport.”

Preparing in Boston – Opening Against Canada
Metcalf and his team have already taken care of much of the organization in recent months: “Over the summer we assembled our coaching staff and support team. An initial player list will be announced before the start of the college hockey season on October 3, with final selection decisions to follow in early to mid-November.”
To build team chemistry, the squad will gather for a short training camp in Boston just days before Christmas. On December 23, they’ll fly to Zurich and continue on to Davos, where several ice sessions are planned – also to adapt to the larger European rink compared to North America. Their first tournament highlight comes right away on December 26, with a North American showdown against Team Canada.
Metcalf, who also serves as Commissioner of the Hockey East Association, knows that the short preparation time is a major challenge: “Building team chemistry in such a short span is a unique challenge – but also an exciting opportunity.”

Metcalf visited the Davos tournament last December and was thrilled: “What I’m most looking forward to is seeing our players, staff, and their families experience what I did last year – competing on an international stage, creating lasting memories, and yes, enjoying an authentic Swiss cheese fondue.”

Text: Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion    Foto: NCAA