Yesterday we released the first episode in our Hockey is Europe's Game mini-series, where we detailed the fantastic hockey players from the Baltic States who have hit the ice in the CHL. As we continue to prepare for the 2019/20 Champions Hockey League season, we take a look at two Central European countries who continue to make waves in Europe: Hungary and Slovenia
Both Hungary and Slovenia have seen their national teams play at the top level of world ice hockey – and have made contributions to the CHL as well. We take a look at some of the players from these central European nations to have made an impact in the CHL.
Hungary
From Hungary, six players have worn the CHL badge on their jerseys. Going by points scored in the CHL, and games played, forward Balázs Sebők leads his country. With 18 appearances for KalPa Kuopio, the 24-year-old has 10 points in European club competition encounters. Up next is forward István Sofron, who played in nine games for Krefeld Pinguine. Having scored six points in the CHL, Sofron is known around Austria’s EBEL from spells with Fehérvár, KAC Klagenfurt, & Villach SV – the latter of which have both played in the CHL separately.
22-year-old Vilmos Galló is another Hungarian who’s made his hockey living in the Nordic countries – playing 14 games for Linköping HC. He scored three goals during their 2016/17 CHL campaign and this offseason has moved to Finland. Finally, an honourable mention dating back to the first CHL season. Defenceman Viktor Szélig, now GM in Fehérvár, played for Briançon Diables Rouges when they made France’s debut in the CHL. A national team hero from their promotion in 2008, Szélig played in all 6 of the Red Devils’ group games.
This season, forward János Hári will ice for Lahti Pelicans, moving to Finland after finishing as one of the EBEL’s top points scorers in 2018/19.
Slovenia
Slovenia on the other hand have iced more CHL players than their neighbours, but we start with one of the more recent heroes. Goalie Matija Pintarič backstopped Rouen Dragons to the CHL Round of 16 last season, saving 93.3% of the shots he faced in eight games, and was the backbone to their history making run as the first French side to make the knockout stage.
With 18 games to his name, defenceman Klemen Pretnar is Slovenia’s most experienced CHL player. The 32-year-old has iced for VSV, Vienna, and more recently Yunost Minsk in European club competition. He narrowly beats out netminder Luka Gračnar on 17 games, all for Red Bull Salzburg, and forward Robert Sabolič who notched seven points in 16 games over two seasons for Sparta Prague.
Defenceman Blaž Gregorc has totalled 15 games in the CHL for HC Pardubice and Mountfield HK combined, while finally of our headline Slovenians forward Jan Muršak is one of the more recognisable names from recent seasons. The 31-year-old played in SC Bern’s eight games last season, including being nominated for Best Goal of the Season with this one against Växjö Lakers in the Group Stage.