Hydro Fehérvár AV19 on a Championship Mission

Offensive Power: Chris Brown and János Hari
Two names dominate Fehérvár’s offense: Chris Brown and János Hari. Brown, who joined the team this season from the DEL, immediately established himself as a key player. With 20 goals to his name, the 33-year-old is among the league’s top scorers. But for Brown, the team’s success always comes first: "My motivation is to help the team win. Scoring goals is part of my role, and I’ve been blessed to play with some great players this season." The American brings not only scoring ability but also valuable experience from the NHL and other top European leagues – something that could prove vital in the pressure-packed playoff atmosphere.

Hari, a long-time cornerstone of Fehérvár, continues to stand out with his experience and offensive instincts. "It’s good to see that we are a top team every year now," says Hari. "The key will be to play our best hockey in the coming months and finally have a healthy lineup." The Hungarian forward, who has been named “most skilled Hungarian” multiple times but is still chasing his first championship title, knows the team’s growth better than anyone. "This club has come a long way since my first season here. With the new arena and the great organization, it’s just a fantastic place to play." For Hari, winning the championship would not only be the highlight of his career but also the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Defense: The Backbone of Success
But it’s not just the offense that makes Fehérvár so strong. The defense, led by Josh Atkinson and Tim Campbell, forms the backbone of the team. Atkinson, whose impressive +23 plus-minus rating is one of the best in the league, sees the team’s commitment to defense as the key: "We’ve focused on defending hard and fast in the defensive zone. That’s allowed us to spend less time defending and be more dangerous offensively." The Canadian is not only a defensive stalwart but also contributes offensively with 19 points this season.

Campbell, a veteran and one of the team’s longest-serving players, highlights the importance of experience and continuity: "Many of our players have had playoff success in the past, and we know what it takes to perform in crucial moments." With 25 points, Campbell is one of the league’s most offensively productive defensemen and perfectly complements Atkinson’s more defensive focus.

Two Elite Goalies: A Winning Formula
One of Fehérvár’s biggest strengths lies in their goaltending depth. Dominik Horvath and Rasmus Reijola share starts almost evenly and rank among the league’s best netminders. "We push each other every day, and that gives us a big advantage," says Horvath, who boasts a 92.4% save percentage and three shutouts. For Horvath, consistency comes from his mental approach: "I just focus on my own game, the little details, and, most importantly, enjoy every minute I spend between the pipes." The rotation between the two goalies ensures fresh energy in key moments and provides a rock-solid last line of defense.

The David Kiss Factor
Since unexpectedly stepping into the head coach role last season, David Kiss has transformed Fehérvár into one of the league’s top teams. Describing his main focus, Kiss says: "The main focus was to build confidence, get everyone on the same page with the system, and align with the culture of the team." He emphasizes the importance of continuity and leadership: "We’ve built our success on three pillars – keeping the core group together, having two great and steady goalies, a solid defensive core, and signing national team players and leader-type imports."

For Kiss, the team’s success is deeply personal: "I’m happy that the club where I grew up and which gave me the chance to be head coach could be so successful during my time. As a player, I didn’t have the chance to write history with this organization, so now I hope I can do it as a coach."

To keep the team motivated and consistent, Kiss takes a structured approach: "We set team goals and expectations together with the players and break the long season into 10-game segments. After each segment, the team celebrates its achievements, reflects on the lessons learned, and sets new goals for the remaining games." This methodical focus helps the team stay locked in, even through the inevitable challenges of a long season.

The Big Goal: A Championship
With a new arena, a passionate fan base, and a roster filled with confidence, Fehérvár seems poised to make history this season. However, the playoffs, where intensity and pressure reach their peak, have traditionally been a stumbling block for the team. Yet, Josh Atkinson remains optimistic: "Our playoff mindset has already started. We know we have to find ways to win every single night. The league is very strong, but I like our chances of having a strong playoff run."