Catching up on some international stuff

Let's catch up some international hockey news that was missed over the past few weeks...

Tomas Jurco is a Spengler Cup champion.

Jurco helped host HC Davos defeat HC Dynamo Pardubice 5-3 in the championship game on New Year's Eve. It was the first Spengler Cup tournament for the 31-year-old.

Jurco was held pointless in four games at the annual event. His time in the Spengler may best be remembered for this incident that went semi-viral.

This is unacceptable behaviour from Josh Holden, who twice grabs and yanks Tomas Jurco during the Spengler Cup. pic.twitter.com/yCV2XALcA7

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 31, 2023

In 17 games with Davos this season, the former Saint John Sea Dogs forward recorded six goals and three assists. Jurco has joined the KHL's Avangard Omsk for the remainder of the season, which marks his third season of playing in the KHL.

Jurco has now won two QMJHL championships, a Memorial Cup, two Calder Cups, an Olympic bronze medal and a Spengler Cup.

Some other news and notes...

• Team Canada fell in the semifinals of this year's Spengler Cup. Canada featured three former Sea Dogs in Chris DiDomenico (two goals and three assists in four games), Nathan Beaulieu (no points in four games) and Eric Gelinas (no points in two games). DiDomenico and Beaulieu were alternate captains.
• Over at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden, Team Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Sea Dogs equipment manager Tyler Jay was a member of the Canadian staff.
• Eriks Mateiko and Team Latvia were also eliminated in the quarterfinals. Goals were hard to come by early in the tournament for Latvia. Mateiko finished with a goal in five games.
• NHL.com mentioned Mateiko in their "prospects on the radar" feature recently. "The size and scoring ability are intriguing," NHL Central Scouting's Jean-Francois Damphousse said. "He has a good shot release and plays an effective net-front game as well. His skating keeps getting better with each viewing and he plays first line, first power play and is often a part of the penalty kill as well."
• The Athletic had a brief report on Mateiko, which noted that he'll likely be a huge piece for Latvia at next year's tournament in Ottawa.
• Next year's world juniors will be held in Ottawa while the 2026 edition will be hosted in Minneapolis and St. Paul, USA Hockey announced last week.