For our small hockey nation this has only happened a couple of times, and that is to have a player drafted listed for the upcoming NHL draft. Bálint Horváth is ranked in the top 296 draft eligible hockey players in the world.
“Of course I am very happy I found out in school that I am on the list. This is an extra added motivation because now I know there are more sets of eyes looking at me.” said Báint when we caught up with him, “I have to practice even harder now so I can take the next step up, I know that as fast as you get move up you can also slide down.”
The 17 year old forward play for the U18 and U20 teams for Rögle in Sweden, Horváth came up through the Győr youth system before moving to Swedish club Troja-Ljungby through the help of István Bartalis
Horváth was asked to critique is style of play and where he feels he needs to improve, “I think I make the right decisions on the ice and I can read the game very well. I need to work on my size, I need to get bigger and stronger. Of course I have room to improve in all areas of my game.”
Horváth could be mentioned on a list that only includes three names, Tamás Gröschl, Levente Szuper and János Vas. the three players who started their hockey careers in Hungary and were taken in the NHL entry draft.
Despite the honor of being on this short list of potential draft picks Horváth has managed to stay humble and his goals for both himself and his team(s) has stayed the same.
“Aside from playing in the U18 I would also like to play in the U20 squad for Rögle, and make the playoffs in both age groups. With the national team I would like to achieve at least what we did last season or even better. Would like to bring out the most in my game to help my teams to the max.”
