IIHF Hall Of Fame Induction 2024
Dezso VARGA
Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award
Born Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, May 14, 1939
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Matt Zambonin
In the history of the Olympic Winter Games, Romania has played in four tournaments. Dezso Varga has played in three of those four (1964, 1968, 1976), the only Romanian to do so. He captained the last of those teams when they finished 7th, its best Olympic showing ever. In Olympic history, Romania has played 22 total games, and Varga has played in 17 of that number.
In the last 75 years, Romania has also played only once in the top pool of the Men’s World Championship, in 1977. Varga played in that tournament and had a career game against the United States on May 5, 1977, when he scored a goal and added two assists in the team’s stunning, 5-4, win over the United States. This is often called Romania’s greatest international game. In all, Varga had 12 points in his four top-level tournaments.
Over and above those top-level tournaments, Varga was a superstar with the Romanian team for nearly two decades, playing in 15 additional B and C Pool Men’s Worlds between 1959 and 1977. Throughout these years, he was also one of the top players in the Romanian domestic league, starring first with his hometown Miercurea Ciuc and later with Steaua Bucuresti. Varga led Miercurea Ciuc to the national title in both 1959-60 and 1962-63.
Away from IIHF events, Varga also helped the national team claim a silver medal at the 1966 Universiade in Turin, Italy, a result that included wins over Canada and Finland.
In the last 75 years, Romania has also played only once in the top pool of the Men’s World Championship, in 1977. Varga played in that tournament and had a career game against the United States on May 5, 1977, when he scored a goal and added two assists in the team’s stunning, 5-4, win over the United States. This is often called Romania’s greatest international game. In all, Varga had 12 points in his four top-level tournaments.
Over and above those top-level tournaments, Varga was a superstar with the Romanian team for nearly two decades, playing in 15 additional B and C Pool Men’s Worlds between 1959 and 1977. Throughout these years, he was also one of the top players in the Romanian domestic league, starring first with his hometown Miercurea Ciuc and later with Steaua Bucuresti. Varga led Miercurea Ciuc to the national title in both 1959-60 and 1962-63.
Away from IIHF events, Varga also helped the national team claim a silver medal at the 1966 Universiade in Turin, Italy, a result that included wins over Canada and Finland.