Former NHLers Sam Gagner, Matt Irwin highlight Canada’s 2024 Spengler Cup roster

Hockey Canada has announced its 26-man roster for the upcoming Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.

The tournament is made up of three goaltenders, nine defensemen and 14 forwards. A total of seven players are returning to the team, highlighted by long-time NHLer Sam Gagner and former depth forward Josh Jooris, who will skate in his second tournament.

Canada is set to open the tournament on December 26, 2024 against the hosts from Davos at 2:15 P MET. Canada will also play the German team, the Straubing Tigers, on either Dec. 27 or 28, depending on the result of the first game on Thursday. The championship game will take place on New Year’s Eve at 6:10 AM ET.

Canada has won the tournament a record 16 times but hasn’t taken home the title since 2019.

Gagner is the biggest name on the team, having registered 529 points in 1,043 games over 17 NHL season. Gagner has recently been training in Sweden, but has not played anywhere professionally since the 2023-24 NHL regular season with the Edmonton Oilers. Gagner was part of the 2012 team that won the title in 2012 during the NHL lockout, with many of Canada’s top players making the trip over.

Other players with NHL experience include Jooris, Logan Shaw, Daniel Carr, Colton White, Madison Bowey and Matt Irwin. Canada’s goaltenders will be made up of Dylan Ferguson and Colton Ellis – both of whom play in the AHL – and former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Antoine Bibeau.

Of note, Irwin retired from the NHL back in November of 2024 after not picking up a contract for 2024-25.