Wednesday, 22. October 2025 |
New club of the win2day ICE Hockey League
The exact name of the new Hungarian league representative is Ferencvárosi Torna Club, which translates as Franzstadt Gymnastics Club. FTC, or Ferencváros Budapest for short, was founded in 1899 and encompasses several sports. The football department has the longest history as Hungary's most successful club, having been there since 1900. The ice hockey department joined in 1928. Since 2008, the ice hockey club has played in a Hungarian-Romanian league (MOL Liga, First League) and won the title there in 2019 and 2020.
Other sports under the FTC umbrella include water polo, gymnastics, handball, cycling, wrestling, swimming, track and field, curling, kayaking, and bowling. | Club website
Ice hockey on the rise
Starting this season, FTC Budapest will play in the win2day ICE Hockey League, significantly expanding its international reach. In addition to matches against Austrian, Italian, and Slovenian teams, the club also has access to the CHL. However, there's still a long way to go for the Hungarians, led by Finnish head coach Timo Saarikoski. The 56-year-old moved from EHC Freiburg in the DEL2 to the Danube this summer and, as an assistant coach, already has a Slovak championship title with HC Kosice (2022/23) on his resume. He is supported by representatives of major ice hockey nations, including assistant coach Yul Hennelly (CAN) and goaltending coach Teemu Toivanen (FIN).
A mix of young and experienced players
The team combines young and older players and ranks seventh in the league in terms of average age. The imports – 17 Hungarians, five Finns, and three each from Sweden and Canada – also come from all age groups. The current top scorers are Jussi Tammala (FIN/11), Brady Shaw (CAN/11), Tyler Coulter (CAN/9), and István Sofron (HUN/7), all of whom have ICE League experience. Goalkeeping duties are shared by Hungarians Bence Bálizc (35, 7 games) and Kristóf Nagy (25, 4 games). | Current standings
Home games are played at Tüskecsarnok
The Hungarian capital club plays its games at the Tüskecsarnok, which means "Spiked Hall" in English. The name derives from the 84 spikes on the building's domed roof. Opened in 1998, the multi-purpose hall has a capacity of 2,200 spectators.
Longest journey
While Székesfehérvár was previously the longest journey at 515 kilometers, the Red Bulls have to add a few more kilometers to Budapest – 546 kilometers by road. The longest distance between the easternmost and westernmost clubs in the league – between Budapest and Feldkirch – is 882 kilometers.
Next home game of the Red Bulls
On 24 October vs. FTC-Telekom Budapest
Eisarena Salzburg | 7.15 p.m.
Ladies Night | Sporteurope.tv
Mit Galerie
8:00 a.m.: First ice hockey lesson with the Red Bulls// FANS OF THE FUTURE
Mit Video
Red Bulls with a late but well-deserved home win against Innsbruck// WIN2DAY ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE
CHL Round of 16 | Red Bulls at home against Ingolstadt on November 19// CHL PLAYOFFS