IIHF Hall Of Fame Induction 2023
Viktor Szelig
Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award
Born Dunaujvaros, Hungary, September 22, 1975
Viktor Szelig (right) realized a dream in 2009 when Hungary played at the top level of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for the irst time since 1939. © International Ice Hockey Federation / Jukka Rautio
On the national and international levels, few players in IIHF history have had careers as long and rewarding as Hungary’s Viktor Szelig. It all began in 1992 when he represented Magyar for the first time, in the C Pool of the European U18 Championship, but who could have known then that more than 20 years later, approaching 40 years of age, he’d still be wearing the national sweater of Hungary?
Indeed, the next year was a harbinger of things to come. Szelig played in tournaments at the U18, U20, and senior level in the same season, making his senior debut in C Pool of the World Championship at age 17. The Hungarians remained in C Pool for several years but made a brief foray to B Pool in 1999.
In 2001, they again were promoted to the newly-named Division I-A, and they danced between I-A and I-B for several years before the seminal tournament of 2008, when Division I-B was played in Sapporo, Japan. That year, Szelig and teammates won the group thanks to a monumental 4-2 win over Ukraine on the final day, thus earning promotion to the top pool for the first time since 1939.
Indeed, the next year was a harbinger of things to come. Szelig played in tournaments at the U18, U20, and senior level in the same season, making his senior debut in C Pool of the World Championship at age 17. The Hungarians remained in C Pool for several years but made a brief foray to B Pool in 1999.
In 2001, they again were promoted to the newly-named Division I-A, and they danced between I-A and I-B for several years before the seminal tournament of 2008, when Division I-B was played in Sapporo, Japan. That year, Szelig and teammates won the group thanks to a monumental 4-2 win over Ukraine on the final day, thus earning promotion to the top pool for the first time since 1939.
In 2001, they again were promoted to the newly-named Division I-A, and they danced between I-A and I-B for several years before the seminal tournament of 2008, when Division I-B was played in Sapporo, Japan. That year, Szelig and teammates won the group thanks to a monumental 4-2 win over Ukraine on the final day, thus earning promotion to the top pool for the first time since 1939.
For Szelig, it was a promotion 16 years in the making, and although the team finished last and was demoted, it was an unforgettable tournament. Yes, Hungary lost all six games it played, but after every game the players skated to their fans to acknowledge their support, and the fans, in turn, sang Himnusz, the country’s national anthem, to them.
Just being in the top level for that one year also gave the younger players a dream. Szelig played in all six games in Kloten and Berne that memorable year and then captained the team for the next four years back in Division I. Soon after his retirement, that new core earned another chance at the top, playing in St. Petersburg in 2016. In all, Szelig played at three IIHF U20 World Championships and an extraordinary 17 IIHF World Championships.
Szelig’s loyalty to the national team was mirrored by his devotion to his hometown team of Dunaujvaros in the Hungarian league, the team for which he played 12 seasons (1994-2006). He won four championships with the team, but in 2006 he made the leap to the Ligue Magnus, playing for Briancon in France for eight years.
After retiring from Les Diables Rouges Brianconnais in 2016, he returned to Hungary and assumed general manager’s duties with Fehervar AV19, the team he continues to work for to this day. Impressively, Szelig didn’t limit his interests to skates and puck. In 1999, he entered law school in Hungary and in 2004 became a practising attorney.
For Szelig, it was a promotion 16 years in the making, and although the team finished last and was demoted, it was an unforgettable tournament. Yes, Hungary lost all six games it played, but after every game the players skated to their fans to acknowledge their support, and the fans, in turn, sang Himnusz, the country’s national anthem, to them.
Just being in the top level for that one year also gave the younger players a dream. Szelig played in all six games in Kloten and Berne that memorable year and then captained the team for the next four years back in Division I. Soon after his retirement, that new core earned another chance at the top, playing in St. Petersburg in 2016. In all, Szelig played at three IIHF U20 World Championships and an extraordinary 17 IIHF World Championships.
Szelig’s loyalty to the national team was mirrored by his devotion to his hometown team of Dunaujvaros in the Hungarian league, the team for which he played 12 seasons (1994-2006). He won four championships with the team, but in 2006 he made the leap to the Ligue Magnus, playing for Briancon in France for eight years.
After retiring from Les Diables Rouges Brianconnais in 2016, he returned to Hungary and assumed general manager’s duties with Fehervar AV19, the team he continues to work for to this day. Impressively, Szelig didn’t limit his interests to skates and puck. In 1999, he entered law school in Hungary and in 2004 became a practising attorney.