HC Fribourg-Gottéron will once again compete in the 97th Spengler Cup Davos. As the second Swiss team alongside host HC Davos, the reigning champions are set to take on the challenge of defending their title.

On December 31, 2024, Fribourg-Gottéron made history by winning the Spengler Cup for the first time with a commanding 7-2 victory over the Straubing Tigers. Now, the team from Fribourg has decided to return and defend its title in December. This will mark the club’s fourth participation in the prestigious tournament. After finishing fifth in 1992 and reaching the semifinals in 2012, their 2024 triumph was a milestone achievement.

A well-known coaching figure will also make his return to Davos. Swedish coach Roger Rönnberg, who won two national championships and four Champions Hockey League titles with Frölunda Göteborg, will take over behind the bench for Fribourg-Gottéron this summer. Rönnberg is no stranger to the Spengler Cup - he led Frölunda in the 2023 edition and was highly impressed by the tournament’s unique atmosphere. His wish to return to Davos with his new team has now been granted. Assisting him will be Lars Leuenberger, who guided Fribourg to the title in 2024 as interim head coach.

John Gobbi, CEO of Fribourg-Gottéron, expressed his excitement about the team’s return: “We are very happy to take part in the next edition of the Spengler Cup. As defending champions, we want to shine again - not only on the ice but also off it, thanks to the incredible support of our fans.” History, however, shows that defending the Spengler Cup title is no easy feat. The last team to win back-to-back championships was Team Canada in 2016 and 2017. Since then, no club has managed to lift the trophy two years in a row.

With Fribourg-Gottéron, HC Davos, and Team Canada confirmed, three of the six participants for the 97th Spengler Cup are already set. Online single-game ticket sales for the tournament will begin on September 9. Tournament season tickets can be reserved now via an online form.

Text: Press release    Photo: KEYSTONE