Before Christmas became synonymous with the World Junior Hockey Championship, it was the Spengler Cup lighting up television screens around the Christmas tree. Touted as the oldest club tournament in the world, this year’s Spengler Cup was seen as a final opportunity for scouts to get a look at players prior to Olympic roster selection.
Four former GTHL players were part of this year’s Spengler Cup winning squad, which marks Canada’s 15th win at the tournament since it began in 1923.
Alumni playing in the tournament consisted of University of Notre Dame captain Jake Evans (Mississauga Rebels), and current AHL players Cody Goloubef (Toronto Marlboros), Chris Kelly (Toronto Marlboros), and Christian Thomas (Toronto Marlboros). Evans won an OHL Cup in 2011-12 with the Rebels, eliminating a strong Toronto Marlboros squad which had the likes Connor McDavid, Sam Bennett, and Josh Ho-Sang in their lineup.
The Canadian Olympic roster is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
GTHL Alumni in the 2017 Spengler Cup
| Name | Position | GTHL Team | NHL | Current Team |
| Jake Evans | F | Mississauga Rebels | Montreal Canadiens (Drafted, 2014) | University of Notre Dame (NCAA) |
| Cody Goloubef | D | Toronto Marlboros | Colombus Blue Jackets & Colorado Avalanche (2011-2016) | Stockton Heat (AHL) |
| Chris Kelly | F | Toronto Marlboros | Ottawa Senators & Boston Bruins (2003-2016) | Belleville Senators (AHL) |
| Christian Thomas | F | Toronto Marlboros | New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, & Arizona Coyotes (2012-2016) | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) |
