Hungarian ice-hockey topic

[hungarianfan]

Hello everybody!

I'd like to start a topic about hungarian ice-hockey.
I will provide you news, infos etc. etc. from time to time.
Everybody is warmly invited who cares about this tiny country's improving hockey!
Also if you have any questions, don't hesitate, just ask.
I will try to do my best to answer it!

P.S.: I'm too tired now, but from tomorrow I will provide the news.

[Jazz]

Hey Hungarianfan...

Good idea! ;D It is good to find out information about hockey in developing countries.

A couple of quick questions for you.

How popular is hockey in Hungary? How would you compare this to 5 years ago? or 10 years ago? Where does it rank in the national sports landscape?

[Brimsek39]

Gurj -- you took all the good questions!

Seriously -- I would like to hear about hockey in Hungary too. Thanks Hungarianfan.

[Robert]

As far as I know there'll be a 4-team-tournament in Budapest from February 10th to 14th next year with Germany particpating. Might be very interesting for me and some of my ground-hopping friends. Maybe you could give some informations about.

Thanks in advance

Robert

[hungarianfan]

To Gurj (who takes all the good questions)
and Brimsek39:

The popularity of hockey is growing constantly. This year was the succes for hockey hear. Team Canada came twice toplay with us. And we fought well.

Hockey is known in Hungary from the 20's. The national team took part in the olympic games and the world championships. We played twice Canada, and had a draw and a narrow loss.
After the ww2, it was forbidden by the communist government, cause it is declared as a sport of the aristocrats. Hungary spent the next 5 decades mostly in pool C, and a few times in pool B.
The hardest time was between 1988-1995. We were in the Pool C in that time.
Then at the end of the previous decade, we promoted to pool B, winning the pool C against Romania at home pitch. The rising started there. Next year we relegated to pool C again, but immediately won the pool C next year in China.
After it we became regular member of the pool B.
When we hosted the pool b 3 years ago, almost did the impossible (promotion to pool A).
The popularity has been rising. Next year we beat Slovakia by 4-2 at home pitch, our teams rwached the 3rd round in continental cup etc. etc.
Next year we will host the pool B again. I'm sure Hungary will do everything for the promotion.
Compare to other sports:
Footbal is the no1 here (it's hurting that we are bad in it recently).
The waterpolo and the handball is very popular too.
Perhaps the basketball is more popular already, then the ice hockey.

[hungarianfan]

To Robert:

Yes, you're right Robeet. There will be a four team-tournament here in february.
Teams involving:

Canada
Slovakia
Germany
Hungary

I'm sure it will be a good atmosphere!

[hungarianfan]

Some news:

Eisbären Berlin signed goalkeeper Szuper Levente .

Finnish team Hämeenlinna will have a trainig camp in Székesfehérvár (home of the Alba Volán) between august 25-30.
They will play matches with the best 2 hungarian teams(Volán and Dunaújváros), and with the national team.
The finnish team offered to us 150-200 used child hockey equipment! And offered to the most talented Alba Volán youth players a 1 year contract in Finland.
(Thanks finn brothers!)
The Volán wants to sign a finnish player from Hämeenlinna, still don't know the name of him.

[Jazz]

hungarianfan said:

After the ww2, it was forbidden by the communist government, cause it is declared as a sport of the aristocrats. Hungary spent the next 5 decades mostly in pool C, and a few times in pool B.

Really??

That seems a little odd to me on the surface, as the communists as a whole funded ice hockey in other Eastern Bloc countries with more money than they are receiving now....take Romania for instance. During the communist era, they were mostly in the B-pool, and even made the A-pool in the late 70s (and ranked 8th in the world ). However, since the '89, they have dropped steadily and have now toiled in the 26th to 30th ranking range in the past few years....

[hungarianfan]

Strange, but true, it was forbidden between 1945-54.
The damage was huge, and most of the players(who were mostly really aristocrats) left the country and emmigrated.

[Jazz]

hungarianfan said:

Some news:

Eisbären Berlin signed goalkeeper Szuper Levente .

Finnish team Hämeenlinna ...will play matches with the best 2 hungarian teams(Volán and Dunaújváros), and with the national team.
The finnish team offered to us 150-200 used child hockey equipment! And offered to the most talented Alba Volán youth players a 1 year contract in Finland....

So, the Szuperman is now back in Europe?...what ever happened to him in Calgary. He was the 3rd stringer behind Turek and McLennan (during the 02/03 season) and was called up on 3 occasions to Calgary when injuries happened to the top-2. It seemed that he was going to get a chance, but then all of a sudden he was signed by St. Louis at the beginning of last year (where there is a glut of goalies.... ).

So my question is, did he want to leave Calgary (and why?) or, did Calgary not want him?

The offer by Hämeenlinna is very generous, and a great story....I hope more of the established nations would be more charitible towards up and coming nations.....

[Graham]

hungarianfan said:

Yes, you're right Robeet. There will be a four team-tournament here in february.
Teams involving:

Canada
Slovakia
Germany
Hungary

This is the difference between Hungary and so many of the other mid-Div 1 teams. Great Britain go 12 months without playing a single game. Hungary get to play in tournaments with 3 Championship Group teams. If only we could have the dedication to the national team that the Hungarians do...

Graham.