Because Davos, the tournament hosts, invited them. It's not unheard of, Rochester was also the last AHL team to get an invite back in 1996.
It's rare since the tournament is played by European club teams and most North American club teams wouldn't want to take time off in the middle of their season. But I think it's a cool thing to do once in a while.
Before that in 1988 I think the USA entry was an all-star team much like Team Canada's.
Actually on that note, I do wish that Canada had a permanent national team again like in the 80s and 90s to compete in tournaments like this.
Spengler
