In HC Sparta Praha not only one of the oldest, most famous, and popular ice hockey clubs from the Czech Republic, but also a two-time Spengler Cup champion will be taking part in the 2020 tournament.

Starting as a bandy division of the Sports Club Sparta Prague in 1903, an independent ice hockey club was formed in 1909. With the exception of 1950/51 season, the team from Prague played in the highest Czechoslovakian league from 1936 until their dissolution in 1993. In that time, Sparta clinched four Czechoslovakian championships – two in the mid-50s and two in the early 1990s. In an independent Czech league Sparta has celebrated four championship titles – 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007.

10th participation at Spengler Cup Davos
Aside from their national success the team also participated in several international tournaments, winning the Spengler Cup in 1962 and 1963. This will be the 10th appearance at the oldest club tournament for the team from Prague. In 1962 the Czechs took part for the first time, their last participation was in 2010.
In addition, the team also made three final appearances in European club competitions: in 2000 Sparta lost the final of the European Hockey League to HC Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and in 2008 Sparta again finished second behind HK Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the IIHF European Champions Cup. In 2017 they advanced to the Champions Hockey League final but fell 4-3 in overtime to perennial champion Frolunda.
In a very tight 2019/20 regular season Sparta finished third, only one point behind second-placed Trinec. Due to the corona pandemic the championship was then, as in most other countries as well, ended before the playoffs had begun.
 

Text: Spengler Cup-Online  Foto: Sparta Prag