GRAND FORKS — Abram Wiebe and Jake Livanavage both had opportunities to turn pro last spring.
They decided to stay in college.
But the UND junior defensemen will get a chance to test themselves against professional players and a host of former NHLers this week.
Wiebe and Livanavage are in Davos, Switzerland, with the U.S. College Selects to play in the Spengler Cup, a six-team tournament that’s been around since 1923.
The U.S. College Selects are an all-star team of players representing all six NCAA conferences.
“I’m excited to play teams from around the world that have been playing together and playing against guys who have played pro for how many years, and guys who have been in the NHL,” Wiebe said. “I’m excited to see how I stack up against those guys.”
His plan?
“Have fun and trust your game,” Wiebe said.
Simon French / USCS
The Selects open at 1:15 p.m. Central on Friday against Team Canada, an all-star team of Canadians who are playing professionally in Europe and North America.
Canada’s roster includes former UND star Drake Caggiula, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four. Caggiula, who played in 289 NHL regular-season games, is playing for Lausanne in Switzerland this season. Caggiula is wearing an ‘A’ as an alternate captain for Canada.
Other notables on Canada’s roster are former Michigan State forward Derek Grant (427 NHL games), former Minnesota Wild players Mason Shaw and Calen Addison, and 15-year NHL goalie James Reimer.
In all, 15 players on Canada’s roster have played in the NHL.
“I think most of the talk has been that we’re younger and playing north and playing fast,” Livanavage said. “We’re going to be able to get up the ice quickly. You’re not going to out-muscle guys or anything, but playing faster, getting to the net and stuff is how we have to play.”
Perry Laskaris / USCS
HC Fribourg-Gottéron’s players include Kyle Rau (Minnesota captain), Henrik Borgström (Denver NCAA national champion), Michael Kapla (UMass Lowell captain) and Patrick Nemeth, who played more than 500 NHL games.
HC Sparta Praha’s players include Devin Shore (Maine captain) and Mark Pysyk, who played more than 500 NHL games.
HC Davos has two players on its roster who were once committed to UND — Brendan Lemieux and Adam Tambellini, who played one semester in Grand Forks. Davos also has Filip Zadina, a former top-10 pick who played 262 NHL games.
“It’s going to be very difficult,” U.S. College Selects coach Guy Gadowsky said. “We like to think we bring the good old college spirit. Because of our youth and aggression, we have a chance. As far as expectations, the only true expectation is that it’s going to be an absolutely incredible experience that nobody is going to forget.”
U.S. College Selects vs. Team Canada
Time: 1:15 p.m. Central, Friday.
Place: Davos, Switzerland.
Stream: YouTube.com/SpenglerCupDavos.
Of note: Jake Livanavage and Abram Wiebe are on USCS.
Simon French / USCS
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.
