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CALGARY — Hockey sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ has withdrawn its team from the Spengler Cup.

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ often competes in the European club-based tournament based in Davos, Switzerland, sending a squad of Canadians selected off European pro teams along with some free agents.

Hockey sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ said in a statement on Monday it was pulling out due to the "ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The joint statement from CEO Tom Renney and president Scott Smith says that Hockey sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ believes it is the right decision for the health and safety of players, coaches and staff.

Hockey sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ says it will participate in the event "for years to come."

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½'s Spengler Cup team was intended to be Hockey sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½'s backup entry for the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February if the NHL pulls out of the Winter Games.

Claude Julien was named the head coach for sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½'s team at the Spengler Cup, as well as the Channel One Cup in Russia, in late November.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2021.

The Canadian Press