This years Spengler Cup may look a little different than most years.

Hockey Canada announced on Friday morning that the Canadian National Men’s Team will not participate in the 2026 Spengler Cup. Below is Hockey Canada’s statement regarding the situation:

“Hockey Canada and the Spengler Cup organizing committee have announced that Canada’s National Men’s Team will not participate in the 2026 Spengler Cup. Hockey Canada’s long-term agreement expired following the 2025 Spengler Cup, and a new agreement to include Team Canada in the 2026 event could not be reached in time.

“The Spengler Cup is a special event, and we are grateful for our many years of partnership with the organizing committee and the fan support in Davos. Hockey Canada and the organizing committee continue to engage in discussions around future participation in the Spengler Cup, and we look forward to the future of this prestigious tournament.”

Notable players who are under contract with an NHL team that played on the 2025 Canadian team are: Nolan Allan (SJS), Joe Hicketts (LAK), Graeme Clarke (OTT), Mason Shaw (WPG), Calen Addison (NJD), Anthony Richard (PHI), Taylor Gauthier (PIT), and James Reimer (OTT). Other names you may recognize are: Andy Andreoff, Jean-Luc Foudy, Michael Sgarbossa, Matthew Peca, and Drake Caggiula.

Canada has been part of the Spengler Cup since 1984, when they won the Championship in their debut. Canadian Rob Plumb, a Detroit Red Wings 11th-round pick in the 1977 NHL Draft, led the tournament with four goals and three assists for seven points in four games. They went on to win three of their first four years in the tournament, placing second in the years they did not win. In the 40 tournaments Canada has participated in since then, Canada has won 16 Spengler Cups.

Recently, it’s been a struggle for Canada. They have not only lost four straight Spengler Cup tournaments, but have not even played in the final game in any of those years. Their last Spengler Cup came in 2019 when they beat HC Oceláři Třinec. Kris Versteeg, Scottie Upshall, Eric Fehr, Davis Desharnais, Justin Danforth, Patrick Weircioch, Ian Mitchell, and Zachary Fucale highlighted that Spengler Cup-winning team.

The Spengler Cup is the oldest tournament in hockey, hosted annually in Davos, Switzerland. The tournament is played every year from December 26 to 31. In 2025, Canada played against HC Fribourg-Gottéron, HC Sparta Prague, IFK Helsinki, HC Davos, and the US Collegiate Selects. Only four teams have been confirmed for 2026 to date: HC Davos, US Collegiate Selects, SCL Tigers, and Frölunda HC.

There is no confirmation yet on whether Canada will participate in the 2027 Spengler Cup. Both sides hope to reach an agreement in time for Canada to be part of the next event in 2027.