He has already had a few appearances on the Sapientia U23 team, and you might recognize his name in the stats, as he netted his first goal against Gyergyói Hoki Klub. Pratt Stetson made the move from the United States to Szeklerland at the start of the season, on the recommendation of the European University Hockey Association. The 20-year-old forward’s goal is to gain new experience during his one-year stint in Europe, continue his development, and eventually make a strong comeback to a competitive university league.
A rather interesting situation unfolded at the beginning of the season, when the President of the European University Hockey Association (EUHA) approached the Sapientia U23 management with the idea of a promising young American player spending a season in Europe before pursuing opportunities in the university leagues across the continent. He contacted the EUHA, where they believed that Sapientia U23 would provide the most conducive environment for the player’s growth and development.
This choice offers numerous advantages for both sides. The team has acquired a highly talented and skilled athlete, while Pratt Stetson now has all the resources and support required to navigate a productive year and edge closer to his aspiration of joining one of North America’s most competitive divisions next year.
We talked to Pratt Stetson about his career, his experiences, impressions, goals and plans.
“I was born in Maryland and now live in Massachusetts, but I’ve lived in six different states and even spent some time up in Canada. I started playing hockey at the very early age of three. It’s always been a passion of mine, but I started taking it seriously when I was 14. I played one year in Quebec, Canada and then returned to Massachusetts. This past season I played for Pembroke in the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL),” said Pratt Stetson of his colourful career.
Later on, he also talked about the backstory behind his decision to come to Europe.
“In the States, the usual path involves playing in junior leagues for two years after high school. During this time, you gear up for college championships and get assessed to determine which division suits you best. Of course, everyone’s dream is to play in the NCAA’s first division. However, junior hockey has an age limit, and my situation is unique. I was born on December 30, 2002, just two days shy of being eligible for another year in that league. I am confident in my abilities, so I made the decision that with one more year of preparation, I’d have a better chance of securing a place in a highly ranked university league. I was not ready for this at the start of the season, but I firmly believe that Sapientia U23 is the perfect opportunity for me to chase my goals. I’m surrounded by exceptional people and benefit from top-notch training conditions.”
Pratt Stetson also shared that the EUHA president personally recommended Sapientia U23, where he had a very good first impression.
“The guys in the team have been really welcoming, and I have no complaints about anything. The academy facilities are fantastic; I’m particularly impressed with the training equipment. It’s not every day you come across a gym and shooting equipment of this calibre. And I value the strength training program here. While I haven’t been here for long, I have a strong faith in this team. We’ve got a bunch of talented players, and I’m confident that we’ll achieve great success together.”
The American forward also spoke briefly about his future goals.
“I want to give it my all and make significant progress this season, with the hope of earning an opportunity to try out for NCAA Division I. In the near future, I’m looking to compete in a high-quality college league and eventually pursue a lengthy professional career, either in the United States or Europe.”
The team’s manager, Tamás Horvát, also commented on Pratt Stetson’s arrival.
“We’re truly honoured that Pratt has chosen to join our team for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we take immense pride in our training program and the professional environment we’ve cultivated, which evidently appealed to a North American player like Pratt who is committed to his development. Additionally, the fact that the head of the European University Hockey Association recommended Sapientia U23 speaks volumes about our recent success. We’re absolutely thrilled to have Pratt on board, and I have every confidence that he’ll become a valuable asset to the team. I’m also optimistic that his time in Szeklerland will contribute significantly to achieving his goals in America,” said Tamás Horvát.
