The fans of the Canterbury Red Devils of New Zealand thought that the club would play the upcoming season without a Hungarian associated with the club as Tibor Marton, who was announced as the head coach for the upcoming season could not take his post because of a prior commitment to his club MAC Budapest. However, the Red Devils have signed former Hungarian national team defenceman Tamás Lencsés.
The 34 year old veteran played in three world championships for Hungary and has been a member of the inline national team for a number of years as well. Lencsés joins the Red Devils from Ferencváros where he had a career high 16 points in 40 games in 2013/14.
Lencsés came up through the youth system of his hometown team of Dunaújváros before having a go in the United States where he spent part of a season with the Austin Ice Bats of the CHL and the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL, before coming back to Dunaújváros.
Lencsés would spend one season with the Budapest Stars before coming back to DAB.Docler for a second time.
Lencsés will probably be back playing in the MOL League for the 2014/15 season. The Canterbury Red Devils start their season with a four game home stand, playing host to the Southern Stampede on the weekend of June 7th and 8th, and West Auckland Admirals on the 14th and 15th.
Words: Szabolcs Závodszky
Photo: László Mudra