A look at the greatest Hungarian hockey players

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In mid-May, the annual IIHF World Championships will kick off for all teams in the top division. This year, the tournament will be hosted in Riga, Latvia, and Tampere, Finland. For Hungarian fans of ice hockey, it’s a big year for the Magyars, who earned a promotion to the top division after last year’s tournament.

In terms of sports betting, most of Hungary’s markets are usually focused on rugby, handball, and football. However, fans of ice hockey can wager on leagues from the NHL for NHL betting. Those who have been closely following the world’s most popular leagues, along with international events like the IIHF’s World Championship, are waiting on a Hungarian player to make headlines. 

While three have been drafted into the world’s biggest league, the NHL, none have made illustrious careers on the ice. However, that could change. With Hungary’s national team promoted to the top division for the upcoming IIHF championship, could there be a few breakout players that turn their experience into a potential move to the NHL?

Let’s dive into the possibility, along with covering two of Hungary’s most influential hockey stars.

All Eyes on the IIHF 2023 Men’s Championship Game

In terms of national ice hockey, the Magyars have been an active part of the IIHF. While their Olympic performances haven’t yielded any high results, the team tends to wade around a world ranking of No. 20 or No. 21. Their highest appearance was at No. 19 during a hot streak back in 2012—which is a long way from the team’s inaugural game in 1927, which they lost to Austria 6-0.

So, what would a high finish at the IIHF mean for ice hockey in the country? In reality, a good performance could help foster needed change in the current system. Statista reports that the number of registered ice hockey players in the country has risen from just over 2,000 in 2010 to just over 7,100 in 2018.

Clearly, the IIHF is a major event for these fans. The better the team performs, the more publicity the IIHF World Championship and the Magyars receive. More attention often equates to more funding, which is especially important considering Hungary only has around forty ice rinks viable for hosting professional games.