OUR SPORT, OUR TEAM,
OUR CLUB

The Gyergyó Hockey Club carries on a tradition of 70 years. Ice hockey is the national sport of the Gyergyó Basin, defining the life of the region. The movement initiated by the first ice hockey team, established in Gyergyószentmiklós in 1948, flourished not only in the city but spread throughout the Gyergyó area. Every major locality built hockey rinks so that during the harsh winter freezes, locals could put on skates—from toddlers just learning to walk to elders over seventy years old.

The History of Gyergyó Ice Hockey

In 1882, the Skating Association was founded in Gyergyószentmiklós, equipped with a rink between two branches of the Békény stream, a warming house, and changing rooms. Skating was popular in Gyergyószentmiklós by the end of the 19th century, but ice hockey only took root in the winter of 1948. The first ice hockey team was formed at the end of 1948, initiated by physical education teacher Tibor Basilides after organising matches between classes at the local high school. According to records, the first match took place on January 1, 1949, in Csíkszereda against the local high school team. It was during this game that the boys from Gyergyó first saw a proper rink and real puck…

  • 2018

    In 2018, our team entered the Erste Liga. Our goal for the 2018-2019 season was to reach the playoffs in the Erste Liga, which we achieved. We then faced DEAC in a seven-game series for a place in the semifinals but ultimately, the more experienced rivals advanced.

  • 2019-2020

    In the interrupted 2019-2020 season, we reached the top four in the Erste Liga, eliminating Brassói Corona and, for the first time in Gyergyó hockey history, played for a spot in the finals. The semifinals were cut short due to the pandemic, but we received our first bronze medal. We played in the Romania Cup final and won the Lake Killer Cup.

  • 2020-2021

    In the 2020-2021 season, we deeply felt the absence of our fans, having to play in empty arenas throughout. We reached the playoffs, but Csíkszeredai Sportklub stopped us in the quarterfinals.

  • 2021-2022

    Over the past two decades, the red and white colours and the bear on our crest have been associated with Gyergyó hockey.

  • 2022-2023

    The 2022-2023 season was the pinnacle year for Gyergyó Hockey Club. We were in the race for the Erste Liga regular season title all the way, eventually finishing second and making it to the playoffs. First, we swept Dunaújváros 4-0, then faced Brassói Corona, winning a very tight series 4-3 to reach the finals. The final against FTC-Telekom also went to seven games, where we had to come back from 0-2 and 1-3 deficits. In the end, we won 2-1 at home in the decisive 7th game. We are Erste Liga champions!

Our youth teams also had an exceptional year. Our U18 and U14 teams became champions, and the U16 team won silver.

Teams were formed, and legendary matches were held between the Gyergyó settlements, sometimes watched by thousands. Those who have ever been part of it know what a local championship means, where teams like Kereszthegy from Gyergyóremete, Bástya from Gyergyószárhegy, Bucsin from Gyergyóalfalva, Délhegy from Gyergyócsomafalva, and Katorzsa from Gyergyóújfalu compete. Be it elementary school age groups or old boys’ level.

In the past two decades, the red and white colors or the bear on our crest have become synonymous with Gyergyó ice hockey. This too has become our tradition, symbolizing us. The choice of the name Gyergyó Hockey Club is not accidental. Even if the home matches are played in Gyergyószentmiklós, this team belongs not only to the city’s residents but to everyone living in the Gyergyó area or those with roots here, whose hearts are drawn to this place.

The Gyergyó Hockey Club is a shared value, filling the ice rink at home, and bringing together hundreds in Budapest or other Hungarian cities’ arenas for our matches, even after hours of travel. Many around the world sit in front of screens to feel at home for a while, watching the GYHK play. Cheering for the Gyergyó Hockey Club team means a special sense of community and belonging.