Mike Souza, the longtime head coach of the University of New Hampshire men's ice hockey program, has been appointed to guide the U.S. Collegiate Selects at this year's Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
A Milestone for College Hockey
Souza will be joined on the bench by Minnesota Duluth's Scott Sandelin and Cornell's Casey Jones, a trio that Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf says brings a rare blend of championship experience and fresh perspective to the tournament.
The Spengler Cup, an annual holiday showcase that begins on December 26, traditionally features elite club teams from Europe, but this edition will spotlight a roster composed entirely of current NCAA players, marking a first in the event's history.
Last season, the Selects fell in the championship game to the host HC Davos, finishing as runners‑up, and Souza is eager to improve on that result while showcasing the depth of talent across the six Division I conferences.
In a statement, Souza expressed pride in representing college hockey on such a storied stage, noting his excitement to collaborate with Sandelin and Jones and to test the team against top European competition.
The opening match is scheduled for December 26 against Frölunda HC of Sweden, with a potential showdown against the Davos hosts slated for either the 27th or 28th, and the final roster will consist of 25 student‑athletes selected from across the nation.