Jokerit and Medveščak in KHL action.
It's the Spengler Cup. This year's entrants are Team Canada, HC Davos, HC Genève-Servette, HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Jokerit Helsinki and Medveščak Zagreb.
Salavat, Jokerit and Medveščak, though from three different countries, are all members of the KHL. But will they be next year? International sanctions, coupled with the collapse of the price of oil, have given the KHL a double whammy. Many of the clubs have been backed by oil money, but now some clubs aren't meeting the payroll.
Team Canada. Largely made up of Canadians playing in Switzerland, plus a few from some of the other European leagues and the AHL. They have won the tournament 12 times. Colours: red, white and black. Roster.
Davos. The host. Currently top of the Swiss league. They have won 15 times. Blue and yellow.
Genève-Servette. Last year's winner. Sixth in the Swiss league. Maroon and gold. Canadians: Daniel Vukovic, Paul Ranger, Tom Pyatt, Matthew Lombardi, Taylor Pyatt, Jeremy Wick, Tim Traber, Matt D'Agostini, Alexandre Picard, Cody Almond. Coach Chris McSorley.
Salavat. In fifth place in the KHL East. This is their third Spengler Cup tournament. They have yet to win the trophy. Green and white. Canadian: Leland Irving.
Jokerit. In second place in the West in this their first KHL season. This is their seventh Spengler Cup. They have never won it. Blue, red and yellow. Jokerit have the best logo, apart from the Quebec Citadelles.
Medveščak. In last place in the KHL West. This is their first time here. Blue and white. Canadians: Eric Beaudoin, Carle Mathieu, Mark Flood, Geoffrey Kinrade, Krystofer Kolanos, Kurtis McLean, Shaone Morrisonn, Pascal Pelletier, Brandon Segal, Martin St. Pierre, James Wright.
[Genève beat Salavat 3 - 0 in the final.]
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