Defenseman Reassigned by Edmonton to Play in Spengler Cup

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Danny Syvret on Thursday was reassigned by the Edmonton Oilers to the Canadian National Team. He will play for his country during the 2006 Spengler Cup, a tournament that will take place in Davos, Switzerland, from Dec. 26-31.

Syvret, 21, is tied for the Griffins’ scoring lead among defensemen with 13 points (4-9—13) in 29 games, while his two game-winning goals are tied for first overall on the club. The Oilers’ third choice (81st overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut with Edmonton last season, going scoreless with six penalty minutes in 10 games.

A member of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2005 World Junior Championship, Syvret joins three other Griffins alumni on his homeland’s 23-man roster, including defenseman Jason Doig (2001-02) and forwards Stacy Roest (2002-03) and Krys Kolanos (2006-07). The roster is comprised of Canadian-born players on club teams in Europe, along with players on loan from NHL and AHL teams.

Syvret will play in up to five games – against Sweden’s Mora IK (Dec. 26), Switzerland’s HC Davos (Dec. 27), Russia’s Khimik (Dec. 29) and Germany’s EHC Eisbaren Berlin (Dec. 30), plus a potential championship final on Dec. 31 – before returning to the Griffins in January.

The Spengler Cup dates back to 1923 and is the oldest continual club tournament in the world. Canada's National Men's Team has competed at the event since 1984 and has won 10 titles during that period, most recently in 2003.