As the fifth participant, the Spengler Cup announces the Czech top team HC Dynamo Pardubice. The team from the city on the Elbe has been among the best teams in the country of the current world championship third.

The Spengler Cup will be celebrating its 100th birthday this year. The international ice hockey tournament initiated by Carl Spengler and Paul Muller took place for the first time in 1923. About 800km away in the Czech city of Pardubice a certain Vilem Weiss founded an ice hockey club in the same year. Therefrom HC Dynamo Pardubice evolved, which is now celebrating its anniversary year at the same-aged traditional tournament in Davos.

It will be the third Spengler Cup participation after 1987 and 2007 for the six-time Czech champion. Then Pardubice finished the tournament in fourth place, winning its only game against Davos. On the current roster only, forward Thomas Zohorna remains from that team.
But other Pardubice players have also gained Spengler Cup experience. As such Robert Kousal went into the tournament annals in 2017, scoring twice in his first of two participations for HCD. Defenseman David Musil with Trinec in 2018 and 2019 and forward David Ciencela, with Trinec in 2018 as well, have both also played in Davos during Boxing Week.
In addition, other big names from Pardubice have shaped the tournament in Davos in the past. Goalie legend Dominik Hasek, HCD icon Petr Sykora, who now works as a scout for Pardubice, or Milan Kodousek, who participated in the 1976 tournament with the Czechoslovakian national team are only three of the numerous historical connections between Pardubice and the Spengler Cup.
In 2023 a new chapter in the 100-year-old club’s ice hockey history shall be written at the 100-year-old tournament. Pardubice has continually improved its roster over the past years and now, in its anniversary year, intends to contend not just for the Spengler Cup title – but wants to stand atop the championship as well.

Five participants at this year’s tournament are now confirmed in defending champion HC Ambri-Piotta, host HC Davos, record title holder Team Canada and Frolunda HC. Ticket pre-sales for the 95th Spengler Cup begin on July 3, 2023.

Quelle: Media release Spengler Cup   Foto: HC Dynamo Pardubice