Chasing dreams on the ice and in the classroom: the journey of Adam Bezák

Adam Bezák’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, discipline, and the drive to achieve both on the ice and in the classroom. Born in Slovakia, Adam's life has revolved around hockey since he was three years old. He carved out a successful career playing in various leagues across Europe and juniors in Canada, but his path took an unexpected turn when he found himself playing in the Netherlands for the UNIS Flyers Heerenveen.

Text: Emiel Venema
Photo left Adam Bezák: Pavol Gaspar

“I played hockey in Heerenveen for four years”, Adam explains. “That’s where I took my first steps at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, though I actually started at the RUG before transferring." The transition wasn’t easy in the beginning, but being an elite sports student at Hanze helped him balance his dual roles as a student and an athlete. “I was fortunate that I was getting a top sport grant from the school. They’re obviously taking great care of their students and their athletes.”

Prepare for life after hockey

Adam's goal was clear: to earn a degree while pursuing his passion for hockey. “I knew that I wasn’t going to play hockey until I’m 40, or perhaps not even 35. Every story ends sometime.” With this in mind, he was determined to prepare for life after hockey, even if it meant taking a little longer to finish his studies. “My fourth-year bachelor took five years, but it didn’t matter to me because I wanted to reach my degree. That was my main goal.”

However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unforeseen challenges. The BeNe League, with Heerenveen as one of the teams, was cancelled, and he found himself back in Slovakia with his family. Yet, even during these tough times, Adam remained focused. “I was fortunate that the whole Dutch education went online. I was able to move back to be with my family and continue my studies.”

Balancing studies with professional hockey schedule

Despite the disruptions, Adam found a silver lining. His hometown team offered him a chance to play at a higher level in Slovakia, and he seized the opportunity. Balancing his studies with a professional hockey schedule was no small feat. “The schedule in Slovakia’s top league was a little bit harder. We used to practice at 6 pm in Heerenveen, but here, professional leagues meet at 9 am. It was tough, but it was doable.”

Due to his determination, Adam completed his studies and, in July 2021, graduated from Hanze. “That was the summer when I received a job offer I had been planning for. I was fortunate enough to get my dream job.” Adam had retired from playing hockey but found a new passion as a European scout for the Florida Panthers, one of the top teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). “It’s great because I could stick with hockey. I'm involved in hockey on a daily basis, and it’s basically managerial work—something that I studied during all my study programmes.”

Proper scheduling and planning were number one

Reflecting on his journey, Adam credits proper scheduling, planning, and the support from his classmates and the university for his success. “Proper scheduling and planning were number one for me. Otherwise, I would never have made it. My classmates were really understanding, and I got such great help from everyone at Hanze, but there were no shortcuts, trust me, no shortcuts allowed for me or for anyone else.”

Adam gives an example of the help he received from Hanze: “I could skip school if I had hockey practice. And sometimes it really helped me to skip school because otherwise if you come back home at two o'clock in the morning from the game, you’re really beat up. So I needed to focus on my recovery the next day. On the mental and physical side. They cut me a little bit of slack sometimes. But I took that free time to study at home and prepare for exams.”

The end of one chapter is just the beginning of another

Adam’s story serves as an inspiration for elite sports students in Groningen and beyond. His journey shows that with hard work, perseverence, and the right support, it’s possible to excel in both sports and academics. “It takes a lot of discipline. Otherwise, you can’t reach your goal in sports, and it comes hand in hand.” Now, as a European scout for the NHL, Adam Bezák continues to live his dream, proof that the end of one chapter is just the beginning of another.