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The teams for the next Spengler Cup have been announced. Besides HC Davos and Team Canada, the 2018 edition will feature Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL), HC Ocelà¡Å™i TÅ™inec (Czech Extraliga), KalPa Kuopio (Liiga) and the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers (DEL).
Metallurg is one of the most successful KHL-teams in recent years, winning the Gagarin Cup in 2014 and 2016. They also have participated at the Spengler Cup three times, last in 2005, when they won the tournament.
Ocelà¡Å™i TÅ™inec reached the finals of the Extraliga this past season but eventually lost to HC Kometa Brno. They also were in the semifinals of the Champions Hockey League.
KalPa Kuopio got eliminated in the quarterfinals in Liiga and did not get past the group stage in the Champions Hockey League. The team is coached by former NHL-player Sami Kapanen.
Last but not least the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers lost in the semifinals of the DEL-playoffs. However, the team from Nürnberg managed to qualify for the Champions Hockey League. Their lineup features a few Olympic silver medalists.
For Třinec, KalPA and the Ice Tigers this will be the first participation at the Spengler Cup.
Source: Swisshockey