A new day and there is a new transfer of a Hungarian defenceman, this time Bence Stipsicz is leaving his parent club MAC Budapest to the top junior leagues in North America. Stipsicz will be opening training camp with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL.
Bence Stipsicz brought attention to himself after a breakout year with MAC Budapest and the Hungarian national team at this past season’s A-Pool World Championships. This earned him a training camp roster spot with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The USHL is the same league where Csanád Erdély (Sioux Falls) spent the 2015-16 season, also playing their juniors in the USHL was Kevin Wehrs (Cedar Rapids) and Roger Holéczy (Dubuque).
After performing well enough to survive two rounds of cuts at a tryout camp Bence earned himself a spot in training camp that will be held in August. Icehockey.hu cought up with Bence who had time to answer some questions.
How did the idea of trying out for Cedar Rapids come up and how did they get in contact with you?
I have always wanted to to play NCAA hockey, I was fortunate enough to be seen by an NCAA Div1 school and they referred me to Cedar Rapids.
How was the camp set up that you attended?
This was an invite camp and the team had a fairly small amount of players attending the camp in comparison to other teams, there were 80 guys. After three games the roster was cut down to 40 players. We played two more games then they cut it again to about 30. After this the coaching staff had individual meetings with the players.
What happens now?
I have a summer workout program that I have to follow and then report back at the end of August for training camp and the preseason.
What are you hoping from the 2016-17 season?
I would like to perform well in camp and play well during the season
Did you talk to former Rider, Kevin Wehrs or Csanád Erdély, if so what did they say?
Kevin said this is the best program in the USHL and I should go there if I have a chance. Csanad said the league is strong and I have a good opportunity to develop.
G Ádám Vay Debreceni HK Wild (NHL/AHL)
D Jesse Dudás DVTK Jegesmedvék TPS (Liiga)
D Kalvin Sagert DVTK Jegesmedvék Fehérvár AV19
D Bence Stipsicz MAC Budapest Cedar Rapids (USHL)