Former Hobart College hockey defenseman Bronson Kovacs ’15 (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario) recently signed with Debreceni Hoki of the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation.
“I feel like my four years at Hobart have prepared me well for the transition to professional hockey,” said Kovacs. “We have a great hockey tradition at Hobart that has been built up over the years by Coach Taylor. During my college career I was able to compete against elite Division III players as well as be exposed to European hockey while traveling abroad with the team my sophomore year. I believe these experiences will greatly aid my transition.”
In his time at Hobart, Kovacs served as team captain his senior season and as an alternate captain as a junior. He helped lead the Statesmen to their fifth NCAA tournament appearance in program history this past winter. Kovacs played in a total of 98 career games, logging 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 career points. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology in May and was a three-time member of the ECAC West All-Academic team.
“The athletic department at Hobart has provided me so many additional opportunities to mature both on and off the ice, providing all their student-athletes with the necessities to succeed whether it be equipment, facilities, coaches, and seminars,” added Kovacs.
Kovacs’ Hungarian heritage helped him make the connection and find the right fit in a professional European team. His professional team is located about two hours west of Budapest. Before he passed away several years ago, Kovacs’ grandfather lived in Hungary, not far from where his new team is located. He still has some family members on his father’s side living in the area. “It will be so nice to have the opportunity to see where my grandfather was from. I can only imagine how excited he would be that I am going to play hockey back in his home country,” said Kovacs.
Kovacs and the Hobart hockey Class of 2015 finished with a 70-31-7 four-year record, earning two ECAC West regular season and tournament titles.
