No sport is more associated with a season than hockey is with winter. The frozen ice surface the game is played on evokes chilly temperatures, snow and the holiday months. Hockey fans can get more than their fix this winter on a variety of stages — from the big show, to the international scene, right up to the up-and-comers of the game. ’Tis the season for hockey, some might say.

Starting on the international scene is a Swiss treat for the diehard hockey fan. The second longest club team tournament after the NHL playoffs, the five-day Spengler Cup (Dec. 26-31) is held annually in Davos, Switzerland. Hosted by National League A Swiss team HC Davos, the tourney brings together club and national teams to the eastern city that has a population around 11,000. However, games almost always sell out as fans travel from across the country and continent to cheer on their respective teams and party like mad.

The Spengler Cup derives its name from Dr. Carl Spengler, who wanted to bridge the gap between warring countries after the Second World War. Since then it has become an annual hockey staple and has featured Team Canada since 1984, when the red and white won gold in its first appearance. Since then, Canadians have captured an additional 10 championships, featuring the likes of former NHLers Hnat Domenichelli, Micki Dupont and Randy Robitaille.

Any hockey fanatic who wants to peer into the sport’s crystal ball should look no further than the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Sidney Crosby, Roberto Luongo, Jeff Carter, Jonathan Toews, Drew Doughty, Carey Price, Jason Spezza — they’ve all suited up for Team Canada at one time or another. Canada’s domination in the gold-medal department is also evident as the maple leaves have captured the international under-20 championship a record 15 times, including two five-peats since 1994.

The red and white are out for blood this year as last year the Americans beat a Canadian team, led by Edmonton Oilers’ rookies Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, in the final on home turf. Travelling to Buffalo this year, the Canadians will be looking for some good ol’ fashioned revenge at the 11-day tournament that runs Boxing Day until January 5.

And last, but most definitely not least, the big boys are heading out into the cold for the 2011 NHL Winter Classic. An actual regular season game, this year’s fourth annual outdoor contest will take place New Year’s Day at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. Thousands are expected to cram into the football stadium that will be converted into one big pond hockey match, and millions will watch on TV as the game’s two biggest stars — the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby — play for keeps.

Hockey nuts don’t have to look under the tree this year for their presents, as the world is offering up some of the game’s finest throughout the winter season. ’Tis the season is right!