It will be the fourth participation in Davos for Gotteron, the longest-serving team in the National League. In 1992 they had to settle for fifth place, in 2012 they reached the semifinals. In their third attempt last December, however, they achieved the ultimate triumph. After Fribourg had eliminated host Davos in a spectacular semifinal, the Dragons took no prisoners in the final. Against a tired Straubing team – the Germans played their fifth game in five days – Fribourg took a decisive 3-1 lead 192 seconds into the game.

There will also be a big name returning to Davos in the coaching role behind Gotteron’s bench. It is generally known that Roger Ronnberg, who has been the bench boss for Frolunda Gothenburg for the past twelve years and won two national titles as well as four Champions League titles during that time, will be taking over Fribourg-Gotteron this summer. Ronnberg coached Gothenburg at the 2023 Spengler Cup and was enthusiastic about the Boxing Week tournament. Now his wish was heard by his new employer, as Ronnberg had clearly pushed for Fribourg to make another appearance. Lars Leuenberger, who shortly after being hired as the interim coach had led the Dragons to the title, will assist Ronnberg.

But recent history has shown, defending a title is not that easy. Team Canada was the last to do so successfully in 2016 and 2017. Since then, no team has managed to hoist the popular Spengler Cup trophy two years in a row.

Source: Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion   Photo: Keystone