CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced Wednesday Team Canada’s rosters for 2004 Spengler Cup being held in Davos, Switzerland from Dec.26-31

Canada is the two time defending champions for the Spengler Cup, which is held annually in Davos, Switzerland and is the oldest continual club tournament in the world. This year’s tournament takes place from December 26-31, 2004 at the Davos Arena.

Last year, in the 2003 Spengler Cup final, Canada defeated the host team, HC Davos, 7-4. Canada finished last year’s tournament with a 4-1 record. Overall, Canada has captured ten Spengler Cup Championships in the event’s 77-year existence, including a four-year run from 1995-1998, and two consecutively 2003-2004.

Hockey Canada’s Vice-president, Hockey Johnny Misley and Team Manager Scott Salmond along with Head Coach Marc Habscheid have put together rosters of Canadian born players playing in Europe, along with the addition of players on loan from AHL teams. As per Hockey Canada’s previous commitment, they will not use locked-out NHL players for this tournament.

Head Coach Marc Habscheid will be joined by assistant coaches, Sean Simpson (EV Zug, SUI) and Glen Hanlon (Washington Capitals, NHL).

“We are thrilled to participate in this prestigious tournament again this year and represent Canada as the two time defending champions, “said Marc Habscheid. “It is a real honour and thrill for these players to represent their country. We feel we have put together a team that will compete hard every game.”

Two AHL teams (Manitoba and St.John’s) have loaned their players to Team Canada for the Spengler Cup, providing them with an opportunity to get international experience and to enhance their overall development. Team Canada’s Spengler Cup Team will boast a strong goaltending duo, with one current American Hockey Leaguer and one former NHLer and current German Elite League goalie between the pipes for Team Canada: former NHLer Corey Hirsch (Kassel, DEL), and Alex Auld (Manitoba, AHL).

“We will continue to use these European tournaments to evaluate players for potentially playing in the 2006 Winter Olympics, “ said Misley. “We greatly appreciate the support of the AHL teams and European Pro Leagues that have loaned their players to represent Canada as this is a great opportunity for the players to represent their country.“

All of Team Canada’s games at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland will be broadcast in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet, starting vs.Russia, check local listings for details.

SPENGLER SCHEDULE(all times Eastern)

Dec.26 –CAN vs. HC Mettalurg (RUS) @2 pm

Dec.27– CAN vs. HC Davos (SUI) @ 2 pm

Dec.29– CAN vs. Sparta Prague (CZE) @ 3 pm

Dec.30– CAN vs. IFK Helinski (FIN) @ 1 pm

Dec.31– FINAL 6 am (live) and 3 pm (tape delay)

» view Spengler Cup roster
» Men's National Team website