Clarke to Represent Canada in Spengler Cup

CALGARY, AB -- Former St. Lawrence standout Dale Clarke, who currently plays for the Espoo Blues (Finland) is among 21 players who will represent Canada at the 2008 Spengler Cup, December 26-31, 2008 in Davos, Switzerland, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday. Canada is the defending champion at the annual tournament.

Clarke, a native of Sarnia, Ontario, was a four-year standout for the Saints from 1996-97 through 1999-00. In four seasons with St. Lawrence, Clarke played 142 games, compiling 11 goals and 42 assists.

The roster is comprised of Canadian-born players currently playing in Europe, along with NHL prospects loaned to Hockey Canada from National Hockey League teams. The team was selected by Johnny Misley, Hockey Canada's executive vice-president of hockey operations, along with head coach Sean Simpson and assistant coaches Serge Pelletier and Russ Courtnall.

Click here to access Canada's National Team Roster for the 2008 Spengler Cup

"We are very excited about the players who have agreed to represent their country at the 2008 Spengler Cup," says Misley. "These players will be terrific ambassadors for the Canadian game in Europe, and we feel they will give Canada a great chance to defend its championship."

Canada's roster for the 2008 Spengler Cup includes six players who were part of last year's championship team (Aubin, Heins, Jackman, Law, Pittis, Vigier), and two players who have seen action for Canada at the IIHF World Championship (Dupont, Isbister).

This year's Spengler Cup will include Canada's National Men's Team, Moscow Dynamo (Russia), Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), ERC Ingolstadt (Germany) and HC Davos (Switzerland), the host team.

All of Canada's games at the 2008 Spengler Cup will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet (check your local listings for game times).

Canada has appeared in seven of the last eight championship games, winning the Spengler Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2007. Overall, Canada's National Men's Team has won the Spengler Cup 11 times (1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007), since first taking part in the tournament in 1984.

The Spengler Cup, held annually since 1923, is the oldest professional international hockey tournament in the world.