Some interesting back story here at the Spengler.

 

The Swiss League has a love/hate relationship with the Spengler Cup.  On the one hand, it’s a spectacular and history-steeped event here in Switzerland.  Its been going on, almost continuously, since the 1920s.  So, from that aspect, it is supported by the other teams in the Swiss League and in the rest of Europe. However, the cold, hard fact is that the tournament really only benefits one club in the league:  HC Davos.  It is their tournament.  They sell the marketing rights, they reap the revenue.  There are a number of teams that are a little pissed because Davos makes all the money, the league stops for a week over the lucrative Christmas period, Davos doesn’t give much cash back to the league and then, as a kicker, they are able to  spend the money they’ve made on players, to get better, to go out and beat the very teams that supply many of the players that make their tournament the success it is. Some teams, like Bern, make it as difficult as possible in terms of releasing players to go and play for Canada or anyone else.  Officials with other teams who I’ve spoken with would feel a lot better if Davos would share the wealth a little more with other clubs in the Swiss League - but, as we all know, as soon as money becomes the issue, it notches up the acting-like-an-asshole factor considerably.  HC Davos will have to face this issue sooner than later or I’m afraid you will eventually have team owners who will simply tell their players that they can make a choice between playing a week in the Spengler Cup or a season with their club team. As is usually the case, there is more than enough money there to make everyone happy - it’s just a matter of HC Davos acknowledging the contribution the rest of the league makes to their tournament and sharing the wealth accordingly.