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U.S. Collegiate Selects Announced Spengler Cup Roster

The U.S. team has named its first six players for the upcoming 98th edition of the Spengler Cup in Switzerland.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Hockey

U.S. Collegiate Selects Announced Spengler Cup Roster

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Should collegiate athletes represent the U.S. in international hockey tournaments like the Spengler Cup?

The U.S. Collegiate Selects have revealed the first six student athletes who will compete in the 98th Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. The squad, which finished in second place during its 2025 tournament debut, will eventually field a 25-man roster.

Why it matters

The U.S. Collegiate Selects program serves as a showcase for top talent across NCAA DI men's hockey conferences, providing amateur players with international competition experience. Following a strong finish in their inaugural appearance, the team aims to build on their performance in the storied tournament.

The first six players named include Hobey Baker award winner Max Plante and leading goal scorer Hayden Stavroff, who recorded 29 goals in 2025-26. The initial group also features goaltender Lawton Zacher, who holds a .929 save percentage and five shutouts.

The players

Max Plante

He is an NCAA standout who won the 2025-26 Hobey Baker award.

Hayden Stavroff

He led the country with 29 goals during the 2025-26 hockey season.

Lawton Zacher

He is a goaltender noted for his .929 save percentage and five recorded shutouts.

Mike Souza

He serves as a member of the U.S. Collegiate Selects coaching staff.

Scott Sandelin

He is a veteran coach appointed to the U.S. Collegiate Selects staff for the 2026 tournament.

The details

The coaching staff, which was announced in July 2026, selected this initial cohort from NCAA DI men's programs to compete in the prestigious holiday event. The tournament roster will consist of 25 student athletes in total.

Timeline

  1. The U.S. Collegiate Selects team debuted in the tournament in 2025.

  2. Players recorded individual performance statistics throughout the 2025-26 season.

  3. The coaching staff was officially announced in July 2026.

  4. The first six roster players were announced on October 1, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The U.S. Collegiate Selects team aims to build on their 2025 runner-up finish to solidify their standing in the international hockey circuit. This annual participation provides a unique platform for NCAA players to gain high-level competitive experience outside of their domestic collegiate seasons.

With the announcement of these six players, including top point-producers like Max Plante, the roster build indicates a high-offense strategy for the upcoming tournament. Fantasy followers and collegiate scouts will monitor the remaining 19 roster spots to assess the team's depth and defensive configuration.

The takeaway

The selection of these early roster members highlights a strategy focused on proven collegiate performance and elite offensive output. Fans of NCAA hockey can expect this squad to maintain high standards of play as they assemble the full 25-man team for competition in Switzerland.

Further reading

For more on the latest collegiate hockey developments, visit the Hockey section.

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Should collegiate athletes represent the U.S. in international hockey tournaments like the Spengler Cup?