The field of six teams that will compete in the 97th edition of the Spengler Cup is now complete following Tuesday’s announcement that a team of collegiate players – basically an NCAA all-star team – will compete.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be sending a college hockey team to participate in the Spengler Cup,” said HCA president and Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf. “The players that get selected will have an unforgettable experience at the oldest club tournament in the world.”

“We are honored by the invitation to participate in the Spengler Cup, one of the most prestigious hockey events in the world,” said Sean Hogan, the executive director of College Hockey Inc. “The opportunity to field a team of NCAA student-athletes is a testament to the elite level of play within college hockey and represents an incredible experience for everyone involved—players and staff alike.”

Importantly, the team is unlikely to include players under the age of 20 who are eligible to play in the IIHF World Junior Championship, which will run concurrently, but could include players such as reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, or goaltender Trey Augustine, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, who have both committed to returning to Michigan State University for another season.

Any NCAA player will apparently be eligible to play for the team – it will not be restricted to U.S. citizens.

While U.S. collegiate teams have competed in the Spengler Cup before – namely the University of Minnesota in 1981 and the University of North Dakota in 1982 – this will be the first “all-star” or “selects” team.

Other teams committed to the tournament in late December 2025 include annual participants Team Canada and host HC Davos, as well as IFK Helsinki from Finland, Sparta Prague from Czechia and defending champion Fribourg-Gottéron from Switzerland.

Photo © Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images: Isaac Howard playing for the Michigan State Spartans.

Fribourg-Gottéron Wins Spengler Cup For The First Time Fribourg-Gottéron has become the third Swiss team in three years to win the Spengler Cup, defeating the Straubing Tigers from Germany 7-2 in the final on Tuesday in Davos.