Thursday, April 2, 2026

College Hockey Invited to Return to Spengler Cup

U.S. Collegiate Selects Will Compete in 2026, 2027

College Hockey Invited to Return to Spengler Cup

The United States Collegiate Selects (USCS) hockey team has announced, in conjunction with the Spengler Cup Organizing Committee, a two-year contract to return to the prestigious tournament in 2026 and 2027. The decision comes after a successful showing in December, which included a pair of victories and a run to the tournament’s championship game.

“We are once again looking forward to exciting and refreshing hockey,” said Organizing Committee President Marc Gianola. “The ‘college boys’ bring new energy and a positive spirit to our traditional tournament.”

The 2025 Selects, who were the first team of its kind to participate in the Spengler Cup last December, opened play with a narrow loss (3-2) to Team Canada. The USCS then came away with a statement win (5-3) against hosts HC Davos, before turning in a convincing semifinal victory (5-3) over Sparta Prague. Pushing the hosts from Davos to a 3-3 tie after two periods in the title game, the Selects were unable to complete the magical run, falling by a 6-3 final score.

“We’re honored to receive another invitation to the Spengler Cup and build on the foundation established by our first team,” said Hockey East Commissioner and USCS sporting director, Steve Metcalf. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to again showcase the quality of college hockey on a global stage while providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes.”

Made up of 25 student-athletes from all six NCAA Division I conferences and 17 different programs, the USCS were led by Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky, who was aided on the bench by Mike Souza (New Hampshire) and Jason Lammers (Niagara).

“I am very excited to see that the U.S. Collegiate Selects will continue to compete in the Spengler Cup in the future,” said Gadowsky. “What an incredible experience for everyone involved and a tremendous platform for college hockey.”

The coaching staff, along with Metcalf and Sean Hogan, the Executive Director at College Hockey Inc., were assisted by several NHL scouts in selecting the roster. In addition, the team’s support staff brought over 70 years of college hockey experience to Davos.

Five members of last year’s roster are participating in the Frozen Four in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 9 and 11, while nine have signed professional contracts with NHL teams and their affiliates.

With the U.S. Collegiate Selects, Frölunda HC, SCL Tigers, as well as hosts and defending champions HC Davos, four of the six participating teams for the 98th Spengler Cup Davos have now been confirmed. The remaining teams will be announced once the respective agreements have been finalized.

Advance sales for single-game tickets will begin on September 8th. Ticket packages for all eleven games can be ordered in mid-July. VIP hospitality packages are already available for booking via the official Spengler Cup website.

For more information on the Spengler Cup, visit www.spenglercup.ch/en.

Perry Laskaris
Director of Communications
United States Collegiate Selects
Laskaris@ccha.com
(651) 308-1065