The Spengler Cup is a six-team, invitation-only event that has been presented since 1923 and heralds itself as the oldest invitational hockey tournament in the world. It is held annually in Davos, Switzerland.
This year’s competition is unique, as the United States is sending a Collegiate Selects roster compiled of current NCAA players, a team that includes several former BCHL players. There are also a handful of alumni representing Canada in this year’s tournament, and one other representing their respective professional club.
Team Canada
Derek Grant (F) – This is his second year representing Canada at the tournament. In the 2023 Spengler Cup, the homegrown Abbotsford, B.C. forward scored two goals and one assist in three games. He currently plays for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League, and in 13 games so far this season, he has six goals and 11 points. Grant played in the BCHL for two seasons from 2007-09 with the Langley Chiefs.
Jake Livingstone (D) – Hailing from Creston, B.C., and an alumnus of his hometown Creston Valley Thunder Cats in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, this tall defender is making his first Team Canada appearance. Livingstone played four seasons in the BCHL from 2016-20, starting with a brief stop in Merritt before playing the remainder of his time with the Langley Rivermen. This season, he has played 16 games in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers, scoring five points.
Tyler Morley (F) – The forward from Burnaby, B.C. played all four of his BCHL seasons with the Surrey Eagles, from 2008 to 2012. This year is Morley’s second time representing Canada at the Spengler Cup – he had one helper in four games in 2023. This season, he has played in 24 games with the National League’s EHC Kloten hockey club.
U.S. Collegiate Selects
Larry Keenan (D) – The 2023 fourth-round draft pick for the Detroit Red Wings made a one-season stop in the BCHL in 2023-24 with the Penticton Vees before going to play for the University of Massachusetts. This year, the defender from Barrie, Ontario has scored six points in 20 games.
Joshua Kotai (G) – The goaltender from Abbotsford, B.C. was a part of the awkward 2020 BCHL pod season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. He is now in his third year at Augustana University with a 10-6-3 record, a 2.25 goals-against average, and a remarkable .929 save percentage.
Jack Stockfish (F) – The big centre from North Bay, Ontario played one season in the BCHL, spending 2022-23 with the Prince George Spruce Kings. He then moved on to the College of the Holy Cross in the NCAA. This season, Stockfish has eight goals and 17 points in 17 games.
Abram Wiebe (D) – The former captain for the Chilliwack Chiefs and current alternate captain for the University of North Dakota spent four seasons in the BCHL from 2020 to 2023. He was also drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022. The defender from Mission, B.C. has played 18 games so far this season, scoring 11 points.
HC DAVOS
Adam Tambellini (F) – The forward from Edmonton, Alberta is no stranger to representing Canada. He wore the maple leaf at the 2019 Spengler Cup and was a Canadian Olympian at the 2022 Winter Games. Last year, he was also part of the host HC Davos squad and was instrumental with two goals and four assists in four games. This season, he has nine goals and 19 points in 32 games for Davos in the NL. He played two seasons in the BCHL from 2011 to 2013, making stops in Vernon and Surrey.
Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
