"Nagy Kende Zalán is one of the lucky kids who has become a mentee under the guidance of his role model, János Vas, in the beloved sport of hockey.

Over the past year and a half, Kende has made significant progress both technically and mentally. Through dryland and on-ice training sessions, he has improved his endurance and skating technique, which has greatly enhanced his speed.

His stickhandling and puck control have also become noticeably better and more confident.

Thanks to the mentoring program, Kende has become increasingly aware of his positioning on the ice, recognizing situations, and contributing to teamwork during U12 hockey matches organized by his club throughout the year.

The positive feedback and praise he received from the mentoring program, as well as the identification of areas for improvement, have mentally strengthened him and provided additional energy for training sessions and games at his club."

"My son played hockey in the U-18 category for DVTK. In 2023, an opportunity arose for him to continue his studies at a hockey academy in Montreal, Canada. Before the trip, I reached out to Jankó Vas. As a parent, I asked for his help, as my son was embarking on a journey into the wide world at the age of 16, and I wanted to provide him with as much support as possible.

We met in person. I was immediately impressed by his genuine desire to help young players become the best they can be. I realized how important mental preparation is, in addition to talent, diligence, and hard work. He met with Misi on several occasions. He assessed Misi’s condition and, importantly, provided honest feedback to both me and my son regarding his opportunities in hockey. These meetings were incredibly beneficial for my son; he viewed Jankó as a partner while also addressing him with the patience of a coach.

Getting to know him as a person, I believe he will be just as successful as a coach as he was as a player. We always think of him fondly! With pure humility, he tries to impart his acquired hockey knowledge to the kids, and I believe they quickly sense that.

I was pleased to see the implementation of the mentoring program, as it can greatly assist dedicated parents and children in clarifying the often "blurry" picture.

My son traveled back to Montreal for his second season." 

 Mihály Cseke

"Egri István, the president of DVTK-Jegesmedvék, connected us with Jankó Vas! In February 2021, when my son, Pongrác, who played as a defenseman on the academy’s U16 team, suffered a femur fracture in a car accident. Unfortunately, as a result of the injury, he was unable to move his leg for two months, leading to almost complete muscle atrophy in his leg. He required extensive rehabilitation, and Pongrác fought hard to return to the ice. However, due to the long absence, he fell behind compared to his teammates. Egri István suggested that we undertake personal development training with Jankó Vas. Both my son and I greatly appreciated Jankó; we admired his sportsmanship and personality, so we eagerly embarked on this collaborative journey.

Pongrác became Jankó’s first mentee in the "Vas21" program! After the very first meeting, he became much more enthusiastic and confident, and this feeling only grew stronger with each training session. On the ice, we were given tasks that we had never encountered in the past 12 years. The tasks covered almost every aspect and were naturally tailored to Pongrác. They were very effective, as Jankó focused solely on us, providing immediate feedback and corrections without allowing us to rest. Each session was exhausting, but the boy thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Jankó also monitored the academy training sessions and matches. Any deficiencies he observed were immediately discussed and addressed with corrective tasks. As a result of the work done and Jankó’s effective support, Pongrác regained his confidence, which made him more effective in his defensive role on the ice; he improved his speed and puck handling, successfully catching up with his teammates.

Jankó became not only a coach but also a mentor and "good friend," with whom this supportive, friendly relationship has remained to this day. I wholeheartedly recommend collaborating and mentoring with him to everyone!" 

— András Nagy and Pongrác (DVTK-Jegesmedvék)