Turkey men's national ice hockey team
Turkey's national team, ranked 39th globally, never Olympic qualified.
The Turkish men's national ice hockey team represents Turkey under the authority of the Turkish Ice Hockey Federation (TBHF), which belongs to the International Ice Hockey Federation. The team holds the 39th position in the IIHF World Ranking and sits 11th in the separate ranking for Asian nations.
In 2014, the federation faced controversy when a foreign player wore the Turkish national jersey during a friendly match. Denis Legersky, a Slovak who had played in Turkey for three and a half years and was then with İzmir BB GSK, was listed as a coach-player for the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Though not a Turkish citizen, he wore Ogün Uzunali’s jersey and scored two goals in Sarajevo before 8,000 spectators, helping Turkey win 7–2. Officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports protested the incident.
The team has never qualified for an Olympic tournament.
As of 19 April 2026, the head coach is Dan Reja, with assistant coaches Burak Savas Aktürk and Yavuz Karakoc.
Quick Facts
- Association
- Turkish Ice Hockey Federation
- General Manager
- Eray Atalı
- Coach
- Daniel Reja
- Asst Coach
- Burak Aktürk / Yavuz Karakoç
- Captain
- Ferhat Bakal
- Most Games
- Emrah Özmen (76)
- Top Scorer
- Emrah Özmen (49)
- Most Points
- Emrah Özmen (91)
- Iihf Code
- TUR
- Iihf Max
- 35
- Iihf Max Date
- 2010
- Iihf Min
- 43
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In 2014, the Turkish Ice Hockey Federation caused a scandal when a foreigner wearing the Turkish national jersey played in a friendly international match. Denis Legersky from Slovakia, who had played in Turkey for three and a half years and was a member of İzmir BB GSK, was registered as a coach–player for the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He appeared in the jersey of Ogün Uzunali though not a Turkish citizen, and scored two goals in the match played in Sarajevo before 8,000 spectators that ended 7–2 for Turkey. The officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports protested the incident.
Reader's Guide
The Turkish men's national ice hockey team holds a modest position in international hockey, currently ranked 39th in the IIHF World Ranking and 11th among Asian nations. Its history includes a notable scandal in 2014, when the Turkish Ice Hockey Federation allowed a non-citizen, Denis Legersky of Slovakia, to play in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina while wearing another player's jersey. Legersky scored two goals in a 7–2 victory before 8,000 spectators in Sarajevo, prompting a protest from Turkish sports ministry officials. The team has never qualified for an Olympic tournament. As of April 2026, the squad is led by head coach Dan Reja, with assistants Burak Savas Aktürk and Yavuz Karakoc. The team's significance lies in its ongoing development within a region where ice hockey is a minority sport, and its ranking reflects both challenges and progress.
Did You Know?
- The team is ranked 39th in the IIHF World Ranking and 11th in the Asian ranking.
- In 2014, Slovakian Denis Legersky played for Turkey in a friendly while not a citizen, scoring two goals.
- The match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo drew 8,000 spectators and ended 7–2 for Turkey.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey, Part 2 1-24
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