HC Davos beats U.S. Collegiate Selects to win 2025 Spengler Cup

While some things can be new, others stay the same.

With a 6-3 victory over the U.S. Collegiate Selects on New Year’s Eve, HC Davos was crowned the 2025 Spengler Cup champions.

It marks the National League powerhouse’s 17th Spengler Cup, surpassing Canada for the most wins in the tournament’s illustrious history, and first since 2023.

The final was an exciting battle between the host Davos and the newly-added team made up of NCAA stars. The teams traded goals through the first 40 minutes, with the score level at three heading into the third period. That was when the experienced Davos squad took over. Three unanswered goals from the Swiss organization, with former NHLer Filip Zadina picking up a pair of points in the final frame, including scoring the game-winner, pushed the team to victory.

Adam Tambellini powered Davos with two goals and an assist, while Enzo Corvi also had three points in Wednesday’s win. Matěj Stránský’s scored in the third period as well, giving him six points in the tournament. Goaltender Sandro Aeschlimann made 20 saves in the victory.

It was a little bit of revenge for Davos, as they lost to the college kids during the group stage last week, 5-3.

Nashville Predators prospect and Penn State standout Aiden Fink led the American-based team. With a goal and an assist in the final, the Canadian ended up leading the tournament with four goals and eight points.

Boston Bruins defensive prospect Ryan Walsh netted a goal and an assist in the final. Quinn Finley (New York Islanders) finished second on the team with five points.

Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Adam Gajan, who’s been stellar with Minnesota Duluth this year, made 26 saves for the U.S. team in the final, going 1-1 with a 4.00 GAA and a .873 SV% in the tournament.

While elation is on the side of Davos, it was a successful debut for the college team. Despite losing to Canada on the opening day of the tournament, the Selects finished atop the Cattini Group with their win over Davos. Then, the team beat HC Sparta Praha to advance to the final. It would be interesting to see if a college select team is allowed to compete at the Spengler moving forward.

The Spengler Cup is the longest-organized international tournament, with 2025 marking the 97th edition of the event. Along with featuring Davos and Team Canada, some of the best teams from around Europe are invited to the tournament, giving players a chance to win some illustrious hardware around the holiday season.