CALGARY, Alta. -- Hockey Canada announced Friday the 25 players who will represent Canada at the 2012 Spengler Cup, Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland. The roster is comprised of Canadian players currently playing in Europe, as well as players available due to the NHL lockout.

The team was assembled by Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s vice-president of hockey operations/national teams, head coach Doug Shedden (Wallaceburg, Ont.) and assistant coach Chris McSorley (Hamilton, Ont.), along with Hockey Canada’s national teams staff.

“The players we have selected today are Canadian ambassadors for the game, both in North America and Europe, and we are excited they will wear the maple leaf in Davos,” said Pascall. “These players have a wealth of international experience throughout our program and everyone involved, from the players to our knowledgeable coaches and tremendous support staff, is looking forward to the Spengler Cup experience.”

Canada’s roster for the 2012 Spengler Cup includes:

Five players who were part of last year’s team, which lost in the quarter-finals; Brett McLean, Kurtis McLean, Pascal Pelletier, Byron Ritchie, Derrick Walser.

Two players who have represented Canada at the Olympic Winter Games (two gold medals); Patrice Bergeron (2010 gold), Ryan Smyth (2002 gold; 2006 7th).

Eleven players who have represented Canada at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship (three gold medals); Patrice Bergeron (2004 gold), Jonathan Bernier (2011 5th), Carlo Colaiacovo (2011 5th), Devan Dubnyk (2010 7th; 2011 5th; 2012 5th), Matt Duchene (2010 7th; 2011 5th), Micki Dupont (2006 4th), Sam Gagner (2008 silver), Ryan Smyth (1999 4th; 2000 4th; 2001 5th; 2002 6th; 2003 gold; 2004 gold; 2005 silver; 2010 7th), Jason Spezza (2008 silver; 2009 silver; 2011 5th), John Tavares (2010 7th; 2011 5th; 2012 5th), Jason Williams (2006 4th).

Eleven players who represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship (nine gold medals); Cam Barker (2005 gold; 2006 gold), Patrice Bergeron (2005 gold), Jonathan Bernier (2008 gold), Carlo Colaiacovo (2002 silver, 2003 silver), Devan Dubnyk (2006 gold), Sam Gagner (2007 gold), Josh Holden (1998 8th), Brett McLean (1998 8th), Ryan Smyth (1995 gold), Jason Spezza (2000 bronze; 2001 bronze; 2002 silver), John Tavares (2008 gold; 2009 gold). This year’s Spengler Cup will include Canada’s National Men’s Team, Adler Mannheim (Germany) and HC Davos (Switzerland), the host team, playing in the Cattini Group, and HC Fribourg-Gottéron (Switzerland), HC Vitkovice Steel (Czech Republic) and Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) playing in the Torriani Group.

Canada opens the tournament Dec. 26 against Adler Mannheim at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Canada has appeared in nine of the last 12 championship games, winning the Spengler Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2007. Overall, Canada’s National Men’s Team has won the Spengler Cup 11 times (1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007) since first taking part in the tournament in 1984.

The Spengler Cup, held annually since 1923, is the oldest professional international hockey tournament in the world.