So, it's a good idea to mark the date in your calendars now: May 7, 2024.
The Canadian national team is coming to Budapest as the defending world champion,
Since 2023 he has won the World Cup Group A held in Finland.
Photo: Sandor Çodai – Origo
We're learning more and more about Canada's lineup coming to Budapest: St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and Buffalo Sabres' three players, Owen Power, Bowen Byram and Dylan Cousins, will definitely arrive. Anaheim's Mason McTavish and Chicago center Rookie of the Year candidate Connor Bedard could also come to ours.
What we also know about the Canadian World Cup team (which is also traveling to our country) is that their general manager will be Rick Nash.
He needs no introduction to hockey fans, as he was a dominant player in the NHL in the first decade and a half of the new millennium, and also earned the title of top scorer, while with the national team. He became world champion and Olympic champion.
Photo: Sandor Çoday – Origo
It's a big question who the current general manager of the Canadian national team will be able to choose from. Naturally, this statement also applies to the captains of the other 6-8 national teams at the top of the world rankings, but the situation is most acute in the case of Canada.
Because if he could “select” out of all the Canadian hockey players (as the word “national team” suggests), he would be one of the most envied people in the world of sports, but that's not the case.
Because the NHL regular season doesn't end until April 18th. At that time, half of the 32 teams will have finished the tournament. In principle, this is the weaker half of the field, but of course there are also very good players in these 16 teams.
Photo: Origo – Sandor Chuday
The Hungarian frame is much easier to guess. It will consist of players who will play in the World Championship B in Bolzano – under its old name.
Hopefully the Hungarian team returns home from South Tyrol feeling successful. Of course, the real big success would be the promotion.
We interviewed Viktor Zelig about the match. The professional manager of Fehérvár AV19 played against Canada several times during his career. Next up, we'll talk about the World B Championship chances in Bolzano, the Hungary-Canada match and the opening of the Alba Arena, the fantastic new home of Hungarian ice hockey, in Szekesfehervár on Friday.
