The Spengler Cup is the oldest invitational club ice hockey tournament in the world. It is a true celebration of the different ice hockey cultures and playing styles that exist throughout the world, and as such, it ought to be representative of them.

The KHL, the Liiga, the Swiss League, the Czech League, the DEL have all recently been represented in this tournament. The last time an AHL team was invited was in 2013 (the Rochester Americans). And this was an isolated occurrence. One can argue that Team Canada, invited every year, represents North American hockey. But the truth is, it does not! These Canadian players, though undoubtedly influenced by their Canadian heritage and undoubtedly playing AMAZING hockey, do not embody the pure North American style of hockey in the same way a TOP AHL team would (Rochester wasn't highly ranked in the 2013-2014 season)

Also, the Spengler Cup is getting bigger and bigger in Canada. Not near the WJC's popularity, but it's growing. Wouldn't both the participation of Team Canada AND an AHL team (like happened in 2013, but a TOP AHL team) not significantly increase the tournament's following in North America?

To make the Spengler Cup truly inclusive of all ice hockey cultures, why not invite an AHL team again in 2018?