After twenty years a Budapest team has one the Hungarian as MAC has won their first trophy since the teams is back in top flight Hungarian hockey. In the semi finals and the finals of the Final 4 MAC defenseman Sean Escobedo finished with a goal and three assists is the Hungarian Cup Final 4 MVP.
In 2016 Fehérvár goalie Miklós Rajna was the Final 4 MVP this time it is a defenceman. Sean Escobedo has been lighting up the score sheet recently and he has carried this over from the MOL League to the Hungarian Cup as well. Escobedo a native of New York played junior hockey in the EJHL and the USHL where he played with future NHL players Anthony Bitetto and Chad Ruhwedel. Escobedo played at Boston University with a number of future NHL stars such as Kevin Shattenkirk, David Warsofsky, Nick Bonino. He was also college teammates with names that are familiar to MOL League fans such as Zach Cohan and Ryan Ruikka. After spending three seasons in the ECHL and AHL Escobedo decided to make the move to Europe, he signed with MAC in the offseason.
You have been prolific in the offensive end in the semi finals and the finals, however only let in one goal on Wednesday and one in the final, what has been the key to the success?
We had a great game plan from the coaches, we just wanted to support each other and to make sure we are always in the right spots, and to keep it smart and safe. When we can execute like that the offence opened up not just for me but for the team as well.
Will you be able to sustain the momentum that you have from the Cup win through the final games of the MOL League season and into the playoffs?
We will enjoy this one tonight but we still have Fehérvár coming up next and we want to end the regular season strong and have momentum going into the playoffs.
Looking back at the season, was this what you expected when you decided to sign with MAC?
I expected have a great time when I signed here, the team has been amazing and we are starting to figure it out at the right time as we are going into the playoffs.
If the opportunity to come back for next season would arise would you come back?
Oh Ya, OH YES :)
Would you recommend Hungary for any of your former teammates from the ECHL or the AHL?
For sure I would, Europe in itself is a great experience, I did not really know what to expect when I came to Hungary but it has been a great experience and it has been awesome.
