Quinn Finley’s "unbelievable" Spengler Cup experience
Junior’s time in Switzerland brings growth, confidence and new fans back to Wisconsin
Kali Mick
1/20/2026
When junior forward Quinn Finley stepped off the plane in Davos, Switzerland, on Dec. 24, he had little sense of what the next week would hold. He was there to play in the Spengler Cup – the oldest club ice hockey tournament in the world – as part of the U.S. Collegiate Selects, a team of 25 NCAA student-athletes.
It was the Selects’ first-ever appearance in the tournament. Most players had never shared a locker room before, let alone faced professional teams from across Europe and Canada. With limited time to prepare and no history to lean on, expectations were undefined.
“It was cool to represent Wisconsin on the international stage,” Finley said. “It was an unbelievable experience and something that I’ll remember for a while.”
The path to Switzerland came quickly. Finley received a call from Selects (and Big Ten rival Penn State) Head Coach Guy Gadowsky just a few weeks into the college hockey season. After discussions with his family and UW’s staff, he accepted the invitation, officially joining the roster on Nov. 6.
Before turning his attention overseas, Finley helped Wisconsin close the first half of its season with an impressive 12-2-2 record. Then on Dec. 21, he arrived in Boston for two fast-paced days of practices – NCAA rivals becoming teammates in a matter of hours, building chemistry on the fly.
The adjustment extended beyond new linemates.
“It was a bigger rink, and those teams had played on it before,” said Finley on the differences between the tournament and college hockey. “Just older, stronger sticks. They were more mature with the puck and decision-making as well. We had to be a little bit smarter on that end, but I thought we used our speed and skill to our advantage.”
After crossing 3,800 miles to Davos, the team squeezed in final practices while adjusting to the time change. Off the ice, Finley embraced the rare opportunity to explore a snowy Swiss mountain town – an experience made more meaningful with his family in attendance.
“When you go to places like that, you always try to get outside the rink and explore,” he said. “I got to check things out and take pictures with some of the guys. We went to the top of a mountain and did lots of things in the town. It was a blast. Super cool town. I’m glad my family got to experience it, too.”
Once the tournament began, the sightseeing gave way to business. The Selects opened with a 3-2 loss to Team Canada on Dec. 26, but the setback only sharpened their game. The next night, Finley helped make history. His two-goal, three-point performance powered the Selects to their first-ever Spengler Cup victory – a 5-3 win over host HC Davos, which helped them finish first in their group. A semifinal win over HC Sparta Praha followed, with Finley adding two assists to send the Americans to the championship game.
“I wouldn’t say we were the underdogs,” said Finley on the Selects reaching the final as first-time participants. “We just didn’t know what to expect. So, we went out there, had fun and saw what we could do.”
In the title game, the U.S. Collegiate Selects fell short, losing 6-3 to HC Davos. Even in defeat, the team still won the hearts of the crowd. A standing ovation followed the championship game. “USA” chants echoed throughout the arena. Selects merchandise sold out. Few expected a group of college kids from across the Atlantic would leave such a lasting impression – but they did.
“The fans were super loud,” Finley said, reflecting on the team’s new band of supporters. “Hearing the USA chants, being a U.S. kid, is always great. You kind of thrive off that.”
Beyond the memories and new supporters, Finley returned to Wisconsin with tangible growth. Competing against seasoned professionals, adapting to international ice and forming instant chemistry with unfamiliar teammates broadened his perspective as both a player and a person.
“I picked up things from teammates there, and playing against guys bigger and stronger,” he said. “I’m always trying to add those skills and experiences to my toolbox and learn from them to apply them here at Wisconsin.”
Soon, some of these temporary teammates will become opponents again as college play resumes. Those friendships remain – but only until the puck drops.
“It’s always great playing with buddies and seeing them during the regular season,” he said. “When the whistle blows, though, we’re here at Wisconsin, and we’re trying to win. You have to put friendships aside until after the game.”
Finley’s trip may have ended in Switzerland, but the impact will stretch far beyond it. He returned to Madison with new experiences, a new perspective and the hope that the fans he met across the ocean keep tuning in.
“I think a lot of people over there didn’t really know what college hockey was,” he said. “For us to not only do well, but for them to cheer us on and adopt us and want us to win, it was really good for the game. Hopefully, it grows college hockey even more.”
