The Canadians In Switzerland

I won't hide my appreciation for the annual Spengler Cup tournament that takes place in Davos, Switzerland in the week that follows Christmas. There's something magical in Vaillant Arena and its gorgeous wooden interior that differentiates it from virtually every other arena on the planet, and the tournament that is played there often has moments of brilliance from both players and teams that deserve more respect in the hockey world. Whether it be European players who have gone home to play for teams they know intimately or Canadian players who have found a new home as they prolong their hockey careers, there are always a handful of players who elevate their games at the Spengler Cup tournament to make people take notice of their efforts.

For Team Canada, this can occasionally lead to a training camp invitation the following season or, potentially, a signing during free agency for those who stand out in the red-and-white, and, in some cases, an NHL opportunity after one may have passed by already. For the younger players who join Team Canada, it's a chance to showcase their skills for the teams who own their rights or, possibly, other teams who may be interested in acquiring those rights. In short, this tournament holds meaning for those who may be looking for a path to the NHL if they can seize the opportunity they've been given.

The 2023 version of Team Canada has a mix of grizzled veterans and upstart kids who should keep Canada competitive in every game. There are names you'll recognize, some you may have forgotten, and others that have never been heard. In all three cases, none of these players should be overlooked as being key members of this Canadian squad. If there's one thing I know from watching this tournament, any player can become a hero for Canada if given a chance.

So who is representing Canada in Davos? We'll start with the forwards.

• #4 Jonathan Hazen (HC Ajoie) - 12G, 9A in 29 games.
• #9 Michael Joly (HC Lugano) - 12G, 16A in 28 games.
• #13 Massimo Rizzo (U of Denver) - 7G, 24A in 18 games.
• #19 Corban Knight (SC Bern) - 8G, 11A in 26 games.
• #21 Jonathan Ang (EHC Kloten) - 8G, 10A in 32 games.
• #27 Derek Grant (ZSC Lions) - 11G, 12A in 30 games.
• #38 Guillaume Asselin (HC Ajoie) - 3G, 5A in 18 games.
• #71 John Quenneville (HC Lugano) - 0G, 0A in 2 games.
• #77 Colton Sceviour (SC Bern) - 0G, 3A in 16 games.
• #86 Josh Jooris (Genève-Servette) - 8G, 3A in 31 games.
• #88 Chris DiDomenico (Fribourg-Gottéron) - 9G, 19A in 32gms.
• #91 Tyler Morley (EHC Kloten) - 6G, 8A in 20 games.
• #96 Daniel Audette (HC Ajoie) - 8G, 11A in 28 games.

Most of these names may not jump off the page at you, but there is some solid talent here. Chris DiDomenico and Corban Knight have represented Canada a number of times at the Spengler Cup and more recently at the Olympics in 2022. Colton Sceviour, Josh Jooris, and Derek Grant all have extensive NHL experience, and will likely be a large part of Bruce Boudreau's leadership group. Ang was drafted by the Florida Panthers 94th-overall in 2016; Quenneville was taken 30th-overall by New Jersey in 2014; and, Daniel Audette was selected 147th-overall by Montreal in 2014. Hazen, Joly, and Asselin were all high-scoring QMJHL stars while Morley was a solid player at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Massimo Rizzo is having an incredible season at Denver after being selected by the Carolina Hurricanes 216th-overall in 2019.

Canada's strength may lie in its ability to score on the big ice as shown by the scoring exploits of all of these Swiss-league players. A number of these players are solid power-play scorers as well, and that's vitally important in a short tournament. There are some players who may not fit the mold that Boudreau wants for this team exactly, but Boudreau showed in Vancouver that he isn't afraid to play the kids if they outscore the veterans. A good net-front presence combined with pucks on net will pay off for Canada in this tournament if scoring becomes paramount. Based on the roster above, this team has the personnel to control the offensive zone.

What about the blue line? Here are Canada's defenders.

• #3 Dillon Heatherington (Belleville) - 2G, 2A in 24 games.
• #8 Jordie Benn (Byrnäs IF) - 2G, 6A in 17 games.
• #16 Joey LaLeggia (HC Lugano) - 8G, 11A in 29 games.
• #24 Ty Smith (WBS Penguins) - 4G, 17A in 26 games.
• #26 Thomas Schemitsch (FREE AGENT) - no statistics.
• #28 Nathan Beaulieu (EHC Kloten) - 0G, 2A in 8 games.
• #37 Zac Leslie (Rapperswil-Jona) - 1G, 3A in 4 games.
• #75 Nicolas Beaudin (Laval) - 0G, 6A in 13 games.
• #85 Éric Gélinas (HC Ajoie) - 5G, 5A in 19 games.

The amount of NHL and AHL talent on this Canadian blue line alone should make them a favorite in this tournament. Nathan Beaulieu and Jordie Benn might have the most NHL ice-time logged between two defenders in some time for Canada, but expect players like Ty Smith and Joey LaLeggia to push the play and be like a fourth forward. Éric Gélinas and Dillon Heathington use their 6'4" frames well at both ends, and Nicolas Beaudin is a slick-skating defender who, like Smith and Beaudin, can jump into a play. Add in the effective Zac Leslie and the underrated Thomas Schemitsch, and this Canadian blue line will skate, score, defend, get pucks up the ice, and possibly be the difference for Canada in the tournament.

Canada's last line of defence is in net. Here are the goalies.

• #1 Thomas Milic (Norfolk) - 9-2-2, 2.44, .910 in 14 games.
• #30 Aaron Dell (FREE AGENT) - no statistics.
• #34 Tyler Beskorowany (Belfast) - 10-9-0, 2.65, .896 in 19gms.

In most cases, I'd be a little anxious over Canada inviting an ECHL goalie, an EIHL goalie, and a guy who isn't playing any meaningful hockey, but there's a lot to like here. Tyler Beskorowany has the Belfast Giants in a good position once again despite that save percentage being lower than usual. Aaron Dell's work with the Sharks and Barracuda last season shouldn't be forgotten, but his total NHL numbers see him with a 2.92 GAA and a .905 save percentage. While those two could have held the fort, Canada went and added a World Junior gold medalist who is taking the ECHL by storm. Thomas Milic's 9-2-2 record, 2.44 GAA, and .910 save percentage in Norfolk have him near the top of the stats for goalies, and he could be come the first netminder since Zach Fucale in 2016 to win both a World Junior gold medal and a Spengler Cup gold medal in the same calendar year. If you're asking me, Milic will be the starter when Canada opens the tournament on Tuesday.

The good news is that TSN is covering the entire tournament as part of its holdiay programming, so you'll get to see all the teams depending on when you tune in. What I like is being able to watch the other teams who may meet Canada in one of the quarterfinals or semifinals. The schedule for the broadcasts are as follows:

• DEC 26 - HC Ambri-Piotta vs HC Pardubice - 8am ET on TSN5
• DEC 26 - Frölunda HC vs Team Canada - 2pm ET on TSN5
• DEC 27 - KalPa Kuopio vs loser of Game 1 - 9am ET on TSN2
• DEC 27 - HC Davos vs loser of Game 2 - 2pm ET on TSN2
• DEC 28 - winner of Game 1 vs KalPa Kuopio - 9am ET on TSN2
• DEC 28 - winner of Game 1 vs HC Davos - 2pm ET on TSN2
• DEC 29 - 2nd in Torriani vs 3rd in Cattini - 9am ET on TSN2*
• DEC 29 - 2nd in Cattini vs 3rd in Torriani - 2pm ET on TSN5*
• DEC 30 - 1st in Torriani vs QF2 winner - 9am ET on TSN2*
• DEC 30 - 1st in Cattini vs QF1 winner - 2pm ET on TSN2*
• DEC 31 - SF1 winner vs SF2 winner - 6am ET on TSN2
* denotes games may switch on those respective days based on scheduling

Canada appears to have another strong entry as they seek a 17th Spengler Cup title. HC Davos has won 15 Spengler Cups as hosts, and they're looking to equal Canada's record of 16 total. HC Ambrì-Piotta has one Spengler Cup to their name, and they're back to defend their 2022 title this season. KalPa Kuopio has one Spengler Cup to their name as they used the shootout to down Canada in the final in 2018 for their lone gold medal. Both Frölunda HC and HC Pardubice are seeking their first Spengler Cup titles this season.

Another exciting Spengler Cup tournament opens on Boxing Day, and I'll be watching the action whenever I can. Here's hoping Canada can come together quickly, pick up that all-important first win, and build on that as they aim for that 17th title. We'll see who emerges as the heroes for the Canadians, but there will be a nation cheering on Team Canada as they take the ice in Davos, Switzerland!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!