Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Despres, DiDomenico begin Spengler Cup play

Two former Saint John Sea Dogs begin Spengler Cup play on Wednesday.

Forward Chris DiDomenico and defenseman Simon Despres were both named to Team Canada's roster for the annual tournament, which takes place Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Canada's first game is this afternoon at 3 p.m. against the host HC Davos.

DiDomenico, 29, has become a regular in Team Canada's lineup. This will be his fourth Spengler Cup appearance, recording two goals and seven assists in 11 career games.

The Woodbridge, Ont. native is back playing with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland where he has seven goals and 20 assists in 27 games this season. Last year, DiDomenico spent the entire campaign in North America, appearing in 24 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and 50 games in the American Hockey League.

For Despres, this is his first Spengler Cup appearance. The 27-year-old spent last season in the KHL but hadn't been playing anywhere this year until he recently signed with the AHL's Laval Rocket. In five games, he has a goal and an assist.

Despres is no doubt hoping this can help kickstart an NHL comeback. He has seen limited playing time over the past few years due to concussion problems.

DiDomenico and Despres both played with the Sea Dogs during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns. DiDomencio was traded in 2009 to the Drummondville Voltigeurs while Despres spent the rest of his junior career in Saint John, winning a Memorial Cup title in 2011.

All of Canada's Spengler Cup games will be broadcast on TSN.

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