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 USCS victories and a run to the championship game in 2025.
“We are once again looking forward to exciting and refreshing hockey,” said Marc Gianola of the organizing committee, in a statement. “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 3-2 loss to Canada. The USCS then beat HC Davos 5-3 before a semifinal win (5-3) over Sparta Prague.
The USCS fell 6-3 to Davos in the title game after skating to a 3-3 tie after two periods. 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 via a statement. “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.”
The Spengler Cup is played annually in Davos, Switzerland and takes place Dec. 26–31 at the Eisstadion Davos, the home arena of host team HC Davos.
Made up of 25 players from all six NCAA Division I conferences and 17 different programs, the 2025 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).
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.
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 respective agreements have been finalized.