Penticton Vees alum Dante Fabbro has been named to Team Canada’s roster for the Spengler Cup, which takes place in Davos, Switzerland from Dec. 26 to 31.
The Spengler Cup was founded in 1923 and is hosted by the Swiss team HC Davos. This years event also includes HK Metallurg Magnitogorsk from the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia, Kalpa Kuopio of Finland, HC Ocelári Trinec of the Czech Republic and the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of Germany. The Canadian roster includes players who represented the country at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
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“We are excited with this year’s group of players, as we believe we have assembled a team that combines experience from previous Spengler Cup appearances and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, and a group of new faces who will contribute to the success of our team,” said Team Canada co-general manager Sean Burke. “The Spengler Cup is always an exciting tournament with a rich history, and we look forward to competing for our fourth-consecutive championship with this group of 25 players.”
Fabbro, from Coquitlam, is currently at Boston University in his third year with the Terriers. Named one of the teams captains before the season, Fabbro has three goals and 10 assists in 16 games this season. His career NCAA totals are 18 goals and 42 assists in 90 games.
The 20-year-old defenceman spent two seasons with the Vees from 2014-2016, skating in 89 games and racking up 100 points, 18 goals and 82 assists.
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He helped the Vees win the Fred Page Cup in his rookie season of 2014-15, being named to the BCHL’s All-Rookie team. The Vees advanced to the RBC Cup, where he was awarded the tournament’s top defenceman with three assists in five games.
Fabbro also represented Canada twice during his rookie season, first at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada Red before the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge with Team Canada West.
The following season, Fabbro was not only named the BCHL’s top defenceman, but the CJHL’s top defenceman. That year he played internationally three times, winning gold medals at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, while also winning gold at the World Under-18 Hockey Championships.
He was drafted in the first round, 17th overall by the Nashville Predators that June at the NHL Entry Draft.
The Spengler Cup will be the eighth time Fabbro has represented Canada on the International stage, adding two his two appearances at the World Junior Championships. He helped Canada win the gold medal at last years event.
Canada opens the tournament against HC Davos on Dec. 26 at 11:15 a.m. (Pacific). The championship game takes place on Dec. 31 at 3:10 a.m. (Pacific). All 11 tournament games will be aired on TSN.
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