Showcasing the depth of the player pool and celebrating the global growth of the game were two goals for the Premier Hockey Federation’s 2023 All-Star weekend in Toronto.
Fanni Gasparics made sure this was a success.
The Metropolitan Riveters forward and PHF Team World All-Star delivered an impressive four-goal performance on Sunday night, including a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Team USA to secure a berth in the competition’s final where they battled Canada to the bitter end.
“The goals and my performance was the icing on the cake,” Gasparics said. “It was really special and I felt really honored to be selected as an All-Star. During the whole weekend it felt like we were Queens. From the Hockey Hall of Fame to the atmosphere of the game, the crowd, and the feeling to play was amazing. Everything about the event was very special. I really loved my team. It felt like I was with my home team and in a circle of girls who I have known a long time. It became like family. The environment was fun and very motivating which helped me perform.”
The 28-year-old from Budapest, Hungary was one of 15 international stars who collectively represented six different countries on Team World and shone brightly on the PHF stage. While generally familiar with each other from various competitions throughout their careers, Gasparics says the chemistry among her new teammates developed quick and strong.
“We are from different places, but we are all professional players and among the best from our own countries,” she said. “The coaches (Erika Holst and Venla Hovi) motivated us to show the world what we can do, and we did that. In women’s hockey it’s always U.S. and Canada at the top. With everyone having the same mentality it’s really easy to stick together and play together, and I think that was key.”
Not only did PHF Team World show they could compete with the best, but they can have fun doing it. Their unique ‘unicorn’ celebration after goals created a buzz throughout Mattamy Athletic Centre and for viewers watching the broadcast on ESPN2 and TSN.
“I’m super proud of Team World that we put on a big show,” Gasparics said. “Maybe before the game people thought we were the third team there. But then we won our first two games and maybe a lot of people changed their minds about how talented we are. It’s a big deal showing that hockey around the world is improving and growing, and it means that we’re getting closer to the U.S. and Canada.”
Based on the composition of this year’s PHF player pool, the numbers certainly suggest the international game is on the rise. Rosters include 21 players born outside of North America, plus another four players who have competed internationally for programs representing their heritage. Counting Canada and the United States, 10 countries in total are prevalent around the PHF in 2022-23.
Gasparics, like many players, has watched the evolution of the PHF in recent years. When coach Venla Hovi presented an opportunity for her to join the Riveters following the most recent World Championship, her excitement to be part of the league’s new era only grew.
“She turned my life upside down,” Gasparics says of her coach. “It really made me think about coming here. This is a big league. My passion for hockey is still burning because I love this amazing sport. I played five years of professional hockey in Russia and this a polar opposite. I felt like this is something I want to experience, see how this league is, and compete against the best in the world. That’s why I chose this, and I feel like it was my best decision.”
The Riveters are the league’s most international team with a third of its roster from overseas. Gasparics adapted quickly, recording four points in her first five games and is now one of just five players on the team to reach double-digit points heading into Saturday night’s game against Boston.
“I love my team, we have so many amazing players and people,” she said. “On the Riveters it’s important what kind of person you are and we have so many great leaders on and off the ice as well. Aside from just three players everybody is new. Of course it takes a while getting together but I feel like we are starting something big and I hope we can continue. In our last game (against Buffalo) we finally found a way to score goals and I hope that we can continue in this way because we have big goals for this season. It makes it easy that our atmosphere with the team is good and we are supporting each other all the time.”
The team’s eight-goal outburst against the Beauts before the All-Star break tied a franchise record. They followed that up with a 2-1 shootout win over the Whale on Friday night for a second-straight win. Gasparics stayed hot by scoring the team’s regulation goal, her fourth of the season, which matches her All-Star output. Even though the Riveters have a steep hill to climb in their push for the playoffs, and a tough next opponent in the Pride, the forward is focused only on what she can control.
“We need to take things step by step and focus on the next game and not even think about the points and the bigger picture standings,” Gasparics said. “We don’t need to put any more pressure on ourselves. We need to think in smaller steps, so we do the right things every shift and execute what we’ve been practicing and learning so far.”
Gasparics will spend next weekend’s IIHF International Break back home with her Hungarian National Team where she serves as captain, preparing for April’s World Championship. She’ll carry with her a newfound confidence that PHF All-Star weekend provided in what she’s called the highlight of her hockey career.
“You definitely gain confidence when you have a great performance,” she said. “I’m really happy that this is something I can gain confidence from because this is my biggest need. I need to have confidence and believe that I can compete against the best. This All-Star showcase showed me that I can really achieve what I want with that belief in myself. It’s going to help me in the second part of the season and of course with my Hungarian team as well. I’m filled with so much positive energy and motivation, so I’m pretty happy.”
Cover photo by Lori Bolliger
