Hungary men's national ice hockey team

Lore & Background

The Hungarian team won its group in the 2008 IIHF World Championship Division I, qualifying for the Elite Division of the 2009 IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1939. This advance was marred by the sudden death of team captain Gábor Ocskay, and the team was eventually relegated to Division I again. In 2015, Hungary finished second in its group in the 2015 IIHF World Championship Division I, behind Kazakhstan, to gain promotion to the 2016 IIHF World Championship. On 4 May 2024, Hungary beat Slovenia 2–1 on the last match day of the 2024 IIHF World Championship Division I and qualified for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Reader's Guide

The Hungarian men's national ice hockey team has a long history dating back to 1928, participating in major international tournaments including the Olympics, where they have appeared three times, most recently in 1964. The team is notable for its periodic promotions to the top division of the World Championship, achieving this in 2009 for the first time since 1939, and again in 2016 and 2025. Despite no Hungarian-born players ever playing in the NHL, three have been selected in the NHL entry draft: Tamás Gröschl (1999), Levente Szuper (2000), and János Vas (2002). The team's history includes the tragic sudden death of captain Gábor Ocskay during their 2009 Elite Division campaign. The team is currently ranked 19th in the world by the IIHF.

Did You Know?

• Hungary has played at the Olympics three times, most recently in 1964.
• No Hungarian-born players have ever played in the NHL, but three have been drafted: Tamás Gröschl, Levente Szuper, and János Vas.
• The team qualified for the Elite Division of the World Championship in 2009 for the first time since 1939.
• On 4 May 2024, Hungary beat Slovenia 2–1 to qualify for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.