FROM FAR AND WIDE: Family, friends, dignitaries, players gather to toast Kilrea's 90th

'I felt like I belonged here, and must be here to give him a big hug and thank him for everything.' - Levente Szuper, a goalie with the 67's more than two decades ago who travelled 16 hours from his home in Budapest to attend Brian Kilrea's 90th birthday celebration.

Published Oct 21, 2024  •  5 minute read

Former 67's goalie Levente Szuper travelled 16 hours from his home in Budapest, Hungary to attend Brian Kilrea's 90th birthday celebration. DON BRENNAN/POSTMEDIA

More than two decades after playing his last game for the Ottawa 67’s, Levente Szuper felt there was a party in Canada’s capital over the weekend that he simply could not miss.

So he said “see ya later” to his wife and two kids in Hungary and took a three-plane journey to Brian Kilrea’s 90th birthday celebration, where his presence was among the most impressive presents the legendary coach could ever receive.

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“If they gave a prize for the longest trip, I think it goes to the guy who came from Budapest to be here tonight,” Kilrea said in his closing speech during a fantastic “Toast and Roast” hosted by Ottawa Sports and Entertainment at Lansdowne Park’s Horticultural Building Sunday night. “I said to (Szuper), ‘I don’t know how far it is … where is it? All I know is it’s a long (way) away, but he made it, and it’s a pleasure to see you here with the rest of the players.”

A pleasure, but not a surprise.

“I gave Killer a call last week to let him know I was coming … I think he got a little emotional on that phone call,” said the now 44-year-old Szuper, who was a good goalie with the 67’s for two seasons (53-21-5, 2.44 GAA, .915 save percentage) starting with the 1998-99 campaign in which he helped Kilrea’s team win the Memorial Cup in Ottawa.

“You don’t hear that often, but he was amazed I was flying over the ocean just to be here. I definitely know it was a good decision.”

But to come from halfway across the world?

Some people come up with excuses not to spend 20 bucks on an Uber ride to attend a friend’s birthday party.

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“This still feels like a second home for me,” explained Szuper, who has kept in touch with former teammates and followed the team since leaving Ottawa. “My career would have been probably nothing, and probably would not have happened without the 67’s and Brian Kilrea.

“I was sad enough to miss out on a lot of events here. I missed the 25th anniversary of the Memorial Cup team, and I missed (Kilrea’s) induction to the Hall of Fame. I told my wife at home, and I don’t want to miss out on everything.  I just don’t want to miss the Killer’s 90th birthday … the coach who has done so much for me and helped my career.

“I felt like I belonged here, and must be here to give him a big hug and thank him for everything.”

Szuper flew from Budapest to Ottawa, with connections in Munich and Toronto, over “a solid” 16 hours.

“It was all right,” he said. “I watched a few movies, and the time flew by. My heart is still pumping, you know.

“I’m really, really, really happy to be here.”

Szuper was a fourth-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2000, and although he never made it to the NHL he had a long and fruitful career that included four seasons in the AHL, one in the ECHL, five more in Europe and, and then a final two with the Arizona Sundogs and Missouri Mavericks of the CHL before returning in 2012.

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Now he’s “proud to be a full-time dad and husband” while also working for a Norwegian company that makes supplements, doing presentations at conferences plus talking to kids about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

To stay involved in hockey, Szuper also serves as a colour analyst for a Hungarian Sports TV network that covers two NHL games a week.

“I didn’t know anything about the OHL when I came over in ’98 …  the Internet wasn’t as fascinating as it is today,” he said when asked about the highlight of his playing career. “So it was just a true adventure for a kid from Hungary. When I got here, six or seven goaltenders were fighting for one spot because Seamus (Kotyk). I never thought I could beat out six or seven Canadian goalies for the job, but a miracle happened. I would say that’s my highlight, just to even make it and be part of this amazing organization.”

The $200-a-plate evening raised cash for the Killer’s Legacy Fund, which provides hockey equipment and covers registration fees for children who otherwise might not have the chance to play the game.

It included tremendous music by Terry Marcotte and the Ottawa Valley Outlaws and a live auction of memorabilia directed by the always entertaining and energetic Liam Maguire.

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The emcee, TSN’s James Duthie, did a wonderful job.

So did the toasters and rosters, a list that included Hall of Famers Doug Wilson and Bobby Smith along with other ex-NHLers who played for 67’s in Timmy Higgins, Darren Pang, Zenon Konopka and Brian Campbell.

Also taking a turn on the podium were OSEG owner Roger Greenberg, former OSEG partner and current Atletico owner Jeff Hunt, 67’s GM James Boyd, long-time OHL executive Sherry Bassin and long-time Ottawa sports writer Donnie Campbell.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was also on hand and declared Oct. 21, 2024, the guest of honour’s official birthday, Brian Kilrea Day in Ottawa.

Greenberg said OSEG is going to put up a statue of Kilrea outside the new arena at Lansdowne.

Surrounded by his wife Judy, his children, grandkids and his assistant coach, Bert O’Brien, Killer had a smile on his face the entire night.

“When I retired, which was a few years back, I didn’t know what I was going to do,” he said in his closing speech. “I knew I always liked to scout, but I was very fortunate that I was gifted a membership at Rideau View Golf Club, where I’ve met so many new friends. They’re all sports-minded, and I’ve been up there playing, and it’s just a new life.

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“I want to say that I’m 90, and I feel great, and I think I’ve lasted to this time because I’ve had a lot of friendships in my day. When one of the reporters said ‘can you name five good friends?’ … I honestly feel I’ve probably got 500 good friends, and I know how lucky I am with friendships.

“I’ve got one fellow that worked with me in the restaurant business, Nick Bouris when we had Chances R, and he became a friend 50 years ago when he allowed me to be a partner in the restaurant.

“So from my days in hockey to golfing and now in the restaurant, I know that I’m one of the luckiest guys. I feel like (former Yankees great) Lou Gehrig, when he had (ALS), and he stood in front of a mic (at Yankee Stadium) and said, ‘I’m the luckiest guy in the world’.

“Well, I know that I am. Thanks.”

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