Brouillard to Represent Canada at Spengler Cup

Dec 23, 2025

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com 

After a strong start to the 2025-26 American Hockey League season, Gulls defenseman Nikolas Brouillard is off to Davos, Switzerland to represent Team Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup from Dec. 26-31. 

The oldest club ice hockey tournament in the world, the Spengler Cup brings together teams from Europe and North America to compete in a double-elimination tournament. For the Mont-Saint-Hilarie, Quebec native, it will be his first time representing his home country in an international tournament. 

"It’s an honor, for sure," Brouillard said. "Anytime you have a chance to represent your country, it’s always an honor. To wear that jersey, I’m not going to take it for granted."

Brouillard is now the first defenseman in Gulls AHL history to be selected to a Spengler Cup roster. It’s been a season of firsts for Brouillard, who returned to San Diego over the offseason, as he also became the first defenseman in Gulls AHL history to reach 100 points in a San Diego sweater on Dec. 12 against Henderson. 

The Spengler Cup is one of the premier mid-season tournaments in all of hockey, bringing together some of the best clubs in Europe, as well Team Canada and the U.S. Collegiate Selects. The Canadians traditionally bring a roster with a good mix of veteran AHL and European pro players as well as some more promising prospects. Alumni from Team Canada’s past teams include NHL stars Matt Duchene, John Tavares, Dante Fabbro and more, as well as some names familiar to Gulls fans such as Jeff Glass, Trevor Carrick and Colton White.  

"It means a lot," Brouillard said. "For me, it definitely is a check mark on the bucket list. I’m really excited to go to Switzerland." 

Brouillard and Team Canada will meet the U.S. Collegiate Selects to open the tournament on Dec. 26.