For HCD defenseman Lukas Frick, this year’s Spengler Cup will be a very special tournament: the player from Eastern Switzerland will take part in the traditional event for the very first time. And even after the turn of the year, the current season could continue to be filled with highlights for Frick.

For many ice hockey professionals, the Spengler Cup is a childhood dream – one that comes true for around 150 players every year. This year, that dream is becoming reality for Lukas Frick as well. The new Davos player began his career with EHC Uzwil, then made his National League A debut with EHC Kloten at the age of 18 during the 2012/13 season. After moving to the French-speaking part of Switzerland, he spent eight years wearing the jersey of Lausanne HC. With his transfer to HC Davos for the 2025/26 season, a new chapter began – one that, as Frick says, makes him “super happy.” “Even in Lausanne, it felt like family, but here I feel that even more strongly.”

Despite the geographical proximity, Frick didn’t have a strong emotional connection to Davos before joining the club. “My brother used to sleep in HCD bed linen,” he recalls with a smile. “For me, it only became clear at around 17 that I had the potential to play in the National League.” A dream of playing in the NHL or abroad never materialized; instead, Frick consciously chose Lausanne: “It was a deliberate step out of my comfort zone. I moved away from home to join a club with a different language and culture.” The decision to leave Lausanne after eight years wasn’t an easy one.

However, any doubts quickly disappeared. In Davos, the 188-centimeter-tall defenseman immediately became a key player – not only in defense. With more than 20 minutes of ice time and 609 shifts, he has logged the most ice time of any HCD player. And with 18 points in 22 games, he has also made a major offensive contribution to Davos’s impressive season so far. That’s no coincidence: one of his clear goals in Davos was to improve his physical play, become tougher in the slot, and contribute more offensively to help the team win. So far, he has succeeded across the board.

Dreams of Titles and Spengler Cup Fever
Frick has already finished as Swiss runner-up once with Kloten and twice with Lausanne, and he won silver with the national team. Over the next five years, he hopes to realize his big dream of winning titles: “I believe in setting multiple goals that build toward success step by step – a good start to the season, the Spengler Cup, making the playoffs – and from there, anything is possible.”

Until now, Christmas has always been family time for the Fricks, even though the Spengler Cup has always been part of the celebrations. This year, however, the tournament will take center stage. Family and friends are excited and hope to cheer Lukas on in person amid the unique atmosphere of the zondacrypto Arena and experience the unmistakable Spengler Cup spirit for the first time. “Playing in this tournament for the first time will definitely be something special. I’m really looking forward to it and curious to see what awaits me.”

If an opportunity for an Olympic or World Championship appearance with the national team arises on top of that, his winter calendar will be full. “All the better,” he laughs. “My passion is ice hockey – and I want to play it as often as possible.”

Text: Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion (mit Auszügen aus dem Jahrbuch 2025, dass Ende November erscheinen wird)  
Bild: Maurice Parrée