Joe Thornton makes bold return as co-GM for Canada's Spengler Cup team

In the lead-up to the 2024 Spengler Cup, Joe Thornton and Brad Pascall have been appointed as co-general managers of Canada’s national team. Hockey Canada announced this decision on December 12, 2024, marking the second consecutive year that Thornton, a former NHL star, will take part in this role. This follows Thornton's international management debut at the previous year's Spengler Cup, where Canada was eliminated in the semifinals by HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Republic. Following a prolific playing career that lasted 25 years, during which Thornton amassed 1,539 points across 1,714 games, he transitioned into team management after retiring from professional hockey post the 2021-22 NHL season. His achievements include winning gold with Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games and the Spengler Cup title in 2004 while playing for Swiss team HC Davos. Brad Pascall, who is in his 11th season as assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames and his second year as vice-president of hockey operations, will partner Thornton in managing the Canadian team. They will be joined by Hnat Domenichelli, who has been serving as the general manager of HC Lugano in Switzerland since 2019. Domenichelli, a professional player for 18 years, brings extensive experience to the management team with a background that includes playing in the NHL, the American Hockey League, and Switzerland's National League. The Spengler Cup, taking place in Davos from December 26 to 31, is an annual international ice hockey tournament featuring top club teams from around the world. The tournament is known for its historical significance and attracts numerous hockey fans each year. Notably, Canada and Davos are tied for the most Spengler Cup titles with 16 championships each, although Canada has not secured a title since their last win in 2019. The tournaments that were scheduled in 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of this year's event as teams compete for the championship. The objective for Thornton and Pascall will be to build a competitive team capable of achieving success in an event that holds great prestige in the hockey world. With Thornton’s deep understanding of the game and experience from his illustrious career, expectations will be high for Canada as they seek to reclaim their title at the Spengler Cup. The challenges they will face include assembling a team that not only has skill but also chemistry and adaptability to compete against the high caliber of international club teams expected at this tournament.