The Spengler Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. First held in 1923, the Spengler Cup is often cited as the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world. The event is hosted by the Swiss team HC Davos and played each year in Davos, Switzerland, between Christmas (December 25) and New Year's Day. All the matches are played in the Vaillant Arena.
It was originally devised by Dr. Carl Spengler as a means to promote teams from German-speaking Europe, who might have suffered ostracism in the aftermath of World War I. Eventually, the tournament grew well beyond expectations. Many of Europe's most prestigious clubs and national programs have appeared, including Soviet, Swedish and Czechoslovak powerhouses.
Among non-European organizations, Team Canada, Team USA, nationally ranked NCAA schools, reigning Calder Cup and Ontario Hockey Association champions, and even Team Japan (in 1971 as hosts of the upcoming Sapporo Winter Olympics) have traveled to Davos through the years.
HC Davos – reinforced with Robbie Earl (EC Red Bull Salzburg), Reto Berra (EHC Biel), Janne Niinimaa and Pavel Brendl (Rapperswil-Jona Lakers) – won the 2011 edition, beating KHL team Dinamo Riga 3-2 in the final.
The Spengler Cup is broadcast on Schweizer Fernsehen in Switzerland, on Eurosport 2 in most of Europe, on RTR Sport in Russia, on Nova Sport in the Czech Republic and on TSN in Canada.
Read more about Spengler Cup: History, Temporary Reinforcements, Trophy, Spengler Cup Winners
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