After a year of interruption, the Spengler Cup returns for its 94th edition offering an ice hockey spectacle with high-level competition, fantastic players, and fanatic spectators.

Large anticipation 43 days before puck drop at this year’s Spengler Cup on December 26: In a live stream Spengler Cup press conference, representatives shared exclusive insights into their team’s preparations.

Swedes finally want another victory
Six high-calibre teams will look to excite ice hockey friends at this year’s Spengler Cup: Record champion Team Canada, the Scandinavian teams HC Frolunda and Kalpa Kuopio, as well as Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic, and the two Swiss teams HC Ambri-Piotta and host Hockey Club Davos. Large anticipation around the Swedish top-team Frolunda HC: “We have been working towards this moment for years”, says Spengler Cup athletic director Fredi Pargatzi. Frolunda HC is not putting itself under pressure 27 years after the last Swedish victory at the Spengler Cup. “Our central focus is to improve with hard work every day. Our goal is the title, but that is a big challenge”, knows head coach Roger Ronnberg.

Six teams, six high goals
The Finn Kim Nousiainen (defenseman for Kalpa Kuopio and winner of the 2018 Spengler Cup) gets glossy-eyed when reminiscing about his Spengler Cup debut: It was an exceptional experience for an 18-year old an experience of a lifetime. Now I am happy to be part of it again.”
Record title holder and defending champion Team Canada has not yet released its Spengler Cup roster. Most players will be recruited from the Swiss National League. Putting a team together is even harder than in previous years. But member of Team Canada’s management Blair Mackasey revealed that head coach and staff will be announced in just a few days and is convinced, “our team will do everything to defend its title but also enjoy the wonderful time in Davos.” Yaroslav Hlinka, athletic manager of HC Sparta Prague, Spengler Cup winner in 1962 and 1963, promises: “We can beat any team and want to win this tournament for the third time in club history.”

Goosebumps with HC Ambri-Piotta
HC Ambri-Piotta provided an exceptional atmosphere in 2019. Paola Duca (general manger and himself a Spengler Cup participant in 2009 and 2010) told about the one-of-a-kind fans that created the euphoric atmosphere in Davos. The team, which has enjoyed a good start to the new season, shall even receive reinforcements this year - likely with players of SC Bern and EV Zug. HC Ambri-Piotta will open its tournament on December 26 against Frolunda HC.

Scandinavian power for Davos’ offence
The tournament host greeted the press conference as the current leader in their native championship. HC Davos forward Dennis Rasmussen (2018 Swedish champion with Vaxjo Lakers and World Championship bronze medallist) is convinced: “There is strong competition. It will be an amazing show.”
He is especially looking forward to reinforcements, which general manager Jan Alston announced. Jesper Olofsson, PostFinance Top Scorer, as well as Finnish international Harri Pesonen will both be strengthening HC Davos’ roster. Both play for SCL Tigers in the National League. The third reinforcement is Valtteri Filpulla of Geneve-Servette HC. The Finnish centre can lean on plenty of experience. He scored 222 goals in 1,221 NHL games and made a name for himself as a shootout specialist. Jan Alston, HC Davos general manager, looks forward: “It is always good to have a player with such a successful career and the corresponding experience on your team. I am convinced that the whole team can benefit from Filpulla, who won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.”

A sigh of relief from the organisers
Since receiving the local government’s permission a few days ago, Marc Gianola, president of the Spengler Cup organising committee, can now safely plan: “We are exceptionally pleased to be running the Spengler Cup. Then without the Spengler Cup there will not be an HC Davos in the long run.” It is still possible to be a part of the ice hockey spectacle running from December 26 to 31.
 

Tickets are available onlinel

The PK im Video  (in German)

Quelle: Medienmitteilung Spengler Cup Davos 12.11.2021  Foto: Keystone