Davos finished the National League regular season with a dominant record of 117 points from 52 games, fueling aspirations for a championship title. Captain Matej Stransky, who is preparing to depart for Pardubice in the Czech Republic after five seasons with the club due to family reasons, hopes to cap his tenure with a championship.
The team’s last National League title came in 2015, a drought that adds weight to their current playoff run. Last season, HC Davos reached the playoff semi-finals, losing in six games to ZSC, the eventual champions. Coach Josh Holden believes that near-miss provided a crucial learning experience. “We felt that not much was missing. The players were willing to continue on the path they had chosen. From August 1st we continued with the same attitude. Always with the aim of improving ourselves,” Holden said.
Stransky, who led the league in scoring with 28 goals and 25 assists, stepped into the captaincy following the departure of Andres Ambühl and Marc Wieser. Despite the added responsibility, he maintained his high level of performance. “Making this decision was very hard. This represents where I became the player I am today. My teammates helped me a lot,” Stransky stated, acknowledging the personal significance of his time in Davos, where his two children were born. He is focused on the immediate task at hand, stating, “I’m not thinking about it yet. After all, we still have something to do here. I can’t wait for the playoffs to start.”
The team’s recent experience winning the Spengler Cup is also seen as a potential advantage. “We played 5 games in 5 days and saw what it takes to win. That was maybe a little turning point for us,” Holden explained. Stransky downplayed any additional pressure stemming from his role as a key player, noting that import players in the National League consistently face high expectations.
The SCL Tigers will also compete in the 2025 Spengler Cup for the first time, according to Spengler Cup Davos officials. Hockey Canada has announced its roster for the 2025 Spengler Cup, but details of the team composition were not immediately available.
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