This Clarenville native is at the Spengler Cup telling the story of the ...

If you’ve ever wondered what 40 bags of Purity candy weighs like, just ask Robert Greeley. 

According to the sports storyteller originally from Clarenville, Greeley loaded his luggage with the delectable Newfoundland treasures and headed for Switzerland where he’s shooting the Spengler Cup with Germany’s Straubing Tigers. 

Those candies will be gifts from home for the members of the team. 

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Turns out it’s about 45 pounds of candy and it might just weigh more than his camera gear. 

“Honestly, I’ve got to give it to the purity, but I don’t know,” said Greeley. “I’m so used to having my camera gear on my back now.” 

Greeley is joining the Tigers, who count St. John’s native Luke Adam as an alumni, in the Swiss Alps this week for the 96th Spengler Cup, which is being contested Dec. 29-31 at the historic Eisstadion Davos. 

“Honestly, it’s a blessing,” he said. 

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Walking with tigers

Greeley’s connection to the Tigers doesn’t start with the Spengler Cup. 

Instead, it goes back to last hockey season when he completed a tour of European hockey leagues and charting the paths of some former University of Ottawa players, where Greeley went to school. 

Along the way, he embedded with former Toronto Maple Leaf draft pick Nicolas Mattinen. 

When Staubing got their invite to the Spengler, the two parties started talking again and in short order, Greeley was on board to chronicle the team’s first trip to the tournament. 

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“This is a big history moment for (The Tigers) getting the first ever invite to the tournament this week and the fact they were willing to have me come along with them is something I don’t take for granted for sure,” said Greeley. 

Robert Greeley brought these Purity candies to Switzerland with him as a gift for the Straubing Tigers. CONTRIBUTEDGetting to Switzerland

Switzerland has long been a country Greeley has wanted to experience. 

He’s been to five continents and 24 countries and documented the sport of hockey on each of them. 

Switzerland is always a spot that gets heavy mention when he posts a new video and now, he’s there. 

“I’m really, really excited to finally get a sense of what the hockey culture looks like over here,” said Greely. 

With the Spengler Cup, which is annually held in Davos, there is no better spot to get an education in their version of the sport. 

Especially with a rink like the Eisstadion Davos, which is more of a hockey cathedral than an arena. 

“I’m really looking forward to getting into it and seeing such an historic barn that has such a great reputation across Europe,” said Greeley. 

A Spengler first

Not only is it the Tigers’ first trip to the Spengler Cup, but it is also Greeley’s. 

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The tournament usually plays second fiddle in North America to the World Junior tournament which takes place at the same time, but the videographer remembers watching it with his family. 

Then, it provided the perfect opportunity because of the usually time difference to catch the Canadian team at the tournament before the country’s world junior team came on later the same evening. 

“I’m just excited to see it firsthand,” said Greeley. 

Robert Greeley (right) is getting a chance to connect with former friends like Team Canada’s Noel Hoefenmayer at the Spengler Cup. CONTRIBUTEDNewfoundland connections

Greeley arrived for his Swiss excursion a day before the Tigers were set to touch down in Davos. 

With some time to kill before the start of his tournament, he headed to the rink and took in the Team Canada family skate being held on the outdoor rink outside.  

There, he was able to reconnect with former Newfoundland Growler Noel Hoefenmayer, who was with the Ottawa 67s as the same Greeley was with the team, for a few moments. 

“I was just catching up with him and talking with him about how he loved Newfoundland,” said Greeley. 

Greeley also chopped it up with former NHLer Joe Thornton about Harbour Grace native Dan Cleary, they were in the same draft class together. 

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The connections to this province don’t stop there. The tournament is littered with former St. John’s IceCaps, Growlers and even former St. John’s Fog Devils. Guys like T.J. Brennan, Mac Hollowell and Charles Hudon all dot tournament rosters. 

With Straubing, he’ll get the chance to interact with former St. John’s IceCap J.C. Lipon for a week as well. 

“Just the fact that I can do all of this and still really reflect it to where I come from has been nothing short of incredible,” said Greeley. 

Travel with me as we are heading on a journey from the rugged coastlines of Newfoundland to the stunning Swiss Alps for an incredible event. It all starts with a quick two hour drive into the city, but not without stopping at a few favorite local spots along the way. This time of… pic.twitter.com/AawANvpstg — Robert Greeley (@robertgreeleyy) December 25, 2024One more gift

Speaking of home, he didn’t just bring Purity Factories with him to the Swiss Alps with him.  

He had another gift from home for the Tigers. 

Greeley also brought a little bit of Clarenville to Davos in the form of a game used Clarenville Caribous jersey for the Tigers’ ownership. 

It’s from a time when Greeley covered the team as a cub reporter with his hometown Packet newspaper. 

“It is a really good pinpoint for reflection and just being really appreciative of where I come from and the fact that I can say that I’m a Newfoundlander,” said Greeley. 

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