The Spengler Cup

[ollie]

I've been aware of this tournament for years but I honestly don't know the first thing about it. Who participates? What's its history? How legit is it? If not now, was it ever? Thanks.

[badams]

The Spengler Cup is the oldest European tournament for club teams. The Cup was donated by Dr. Carl Spengler of Davos, Switzerland in 1923 with the understanding that Germany and Austria would be able to represent themselves internationally with the best club teams. (At the time, those country's national teams were banned from official International Ice Hockey Federation competitions in the wake of World War I).

The Spengler Cup is played every year in Davos, Switzerland between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Five teams participate in the tournament, with a select team from Canada usually included. (Canada first competed at the Spengler Cup in 1984). The Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League were the first North American professional team to compete at the tournament when they took part in 1996 and finished fourth.

After a round-robin series, the top two teams meet in the final game.

[Jaimoe]

I believe the Canuck team is made up of Canadians playing for club teams in Europe only.

[Diggzz]

The teams besides Canada are club teams from their respective countries (ie last year Joe Thorton was playing for Davos)

[ollie]

Wow. That's awesome. I'm already a hundred times more interested in watching it now. Do we get any of the games here?

[Jaimoe]

They have shown some of the games featuring Canada on tape-delay or live, very late in the night. One of the two sports channels will carry the Spengler. I hope Leaf TV doesn't get the games.