Czabafy’s family of four made a huge sacrifice and moved from Hungary to Finland so that the 12-year-old boy could chase his hockey dream. A similar phenomenon has become more common in Finland in recent years.
– I want to play in the NHL, Mátyás Czabafy14 says directly.
The boy is convincing. He looks straight into the eyes and does not hesitate in his words, even though the interview situation in the cabinet of a restaurant in Kulosaari is clearly tense.
– I can be booked in the NHL in the summer of 2029, but I don’t want to think about things that far. I’m going one day at a time because I don’t even know what tomorrow will bring.
Everything looks and sounds good on the outside. The boy smiles and says that he is enjoying himself in Finland, but life in his new home country is not easy.
Czabafy, who moved from Hungary to Finland at the age of 12, is a model example of the phenomenon where a family makes huge sacrifices for the dream of their teenage child.
A dream that remains a dream for many.
A fan boy
Mátyás Czabafy, 14, moved to Finland with his family when he was already 12 years old in pursuit of his hockey dream. Henri Kärkkäinen
In December 2023, a message arrives in the e-mail. It is from Hungary. At the Joker’s office, the message is not surprising, because more and more foreign junkies are being pushed on them all the time.
An accurate background check and try out – period, the club offers Mátyás Czabafy the opportunity to join the Jokerien U14 team for the 2024–2025 season.
– The first thing that caught Mátyás’s eye was his size. Already at the age of 12, he was an almost 180-centimeter defender with a very strong shot, currently coaching Czabafy in the Jokeris Riki Immonen remembers.
He saw the boy play for the first time in January 2024. Czabafy was chosen as the best defender of the tournament held in Espoo at that time.
Of the 12-year-old boy, no one can say whether he will become a professional or not, but Czabafy’s frame and huge desire to develop and train gave him the chance.
Czabafy’s father Benzene55, said they wanted to learn hockey in Finland.
– Relative to the population, more NHL players come from Finland than, for example, from Canada and the USA. I think it’s due to good coaching, says Bence.
He also asked his son about a place to play in Kiekko-Espoo and HIFK, but when Jokerit offered the opportunity, the decision was easy.
– “Matyi” was six years old when he first heard about Jokers. Over the years, he became a fan of the club who wanted a Jokers cap and t-shirt.
Tedious
Bence Czabafy (right) is proud of his son and his attitude. Henri Kärkkäinen
Bence sits next to his son as he talks about his life in Finland. Mátyás speaks good English, but sometimes a word is forgotten, and the father helps his son.
They are now alone in Helsinki, because Czabafy’s family of four was torn in two in February 2025, when the disc prom’s mother and two-year-younger little sister moved back to Hungary. Mother and sister only had time to live in Finland for half a year.
– My little sister suffered from severe homesickness. He had nothing to do here besides school. He was just at home and playing video games, says Mátyás.
The boy misses his mother, little sister, family dogs and grandparents who live in Hungary. Leaving home was not easy, but Mátyás does not regret it.
– It was hard to leave Hungary and the life of an ordinary child, but the temptation to come here was greater because I have big goals in hockey.
Next season, the father may also move back to Hungary if a foster family is found for the son.
– I also have a daughter who misses me. Matyi is already older, and I can support him further. My daughter is only 12 years old, and she has lived without her father for a year and a half. I feel that it is my duty as a father to support him as well, says Bence.
The calendar is full
Czabafy has his sights set on the NHL. Henri Kärkkäinen
Czabafy attends an international school in Kulosaari and a remote Hungarian school.
– After all, two schools are quite difficult. Hungarian school is much more difficult. There may be 250 questions in one exam that you need to know the answer to.
You can hear from the father’s voice that he is a little worried about his son’s coping.
– As a parent, I focus on making sure he doesn’t burn out. He needs to rest between practice and school, both mentally and physically.
The situation will be easier next season, as the Hungarian school ends this spring.
The past year has been difficult for the young gambler also because he has suffered from knee problems related to height growth. Games and practices have been missed because of them.
– Sometimes in December I wonder why I’m even doing this, Mátyás laughs.
In the spring, his mind brightened when he was able to play again and success came.
No friends
Czabafy understands a Finnish word here and another here, but he doesn’t speak the language. It significantly affects social life outside the rink.
– Finns are quite introverted and quieter than Hungarians. That’s why it’s been a bit difficult to find friends at school or anywhere else.
Do you have friends outside of hockey?
– Not really, but I wouldn’t have time for friends either, so I don’t need them. Outside of hockey, I only know three other people here.
Czabafy still admits that he misses his Hungarian friends.
When the father is asked if the family has ever regretted moving to Finland, he does not answer directly.
– It’s about Matyi’s decision and his life. I just want to support him.
Father has found a couple of friends in Finland, but he doesn’t have a job here. Instead, the man runs his company in Hungary remotely.
– It has been operating for 30 years and pretty much runs on its own.
Joker family
Czabafy is a big defender with a strong shot. He won silver in the Jokers in the U15 series last season. Czabafy’s home album
Czabafy seems both mentally and physically older than his age. He has been trained professionally for a long time.
Former professional player Attila Orbán served as Czabafy’s personal coach in Hungary, but the switch to Finnish hockey was still not easy.
– The game here is much faster, more physical and more tactical. In Hungary, they play more as individuals, says Czabafy.
At first, he couldn’t play at the highest AAA league level in Finland, but hard work and an endless desire to learn new things helped him develop to the AAA level.
– There are a lot of nice people in our team. I know everyone and I can talk to everyone. I haven’t felt like an outsider there.
Czabafy gives special thanks to his coach Riki Immonen, who is a Jokerit legend Walter Immonen son.
– He has helped me understand what kind of player I could become. I don’t have to sprint through the whole field and score. There are plenty of players who get paid just to defend.
Czabafy especially follows top players Colton Paraykoa and Victor Hedman.
Miles
Despite the difficulties, the burly boy will continue his career in the Jokerien U16 team next season. The NHL still shines in the eyes, even if very few make it to the big league.
However, Czabafy says that the Swedish premier league SHL and the SM league are also of interest. One dream would be to help the Jokers in the Finnish main league.
– There is still a long way to go before he can support himself with hockey, the father says.
However, Czabafy is ready to do almost anything for his professional career.
– I have never seen him be as sure about anything as he was about moving to Finland. He really wanted the Jokers. My wife and I wanted to support him, the father says.
The boy is grateful for the opportunity he got.
– I believe that everything will end well in the end, says Czabafy.
Czabafy has always liked Finland. He wore the Lions jersey already in 2018. Czabafy’s home album
