Hat Tricks Acquire Defenseman Mark Pozsar and Forward Denis Zaychik in Three-Team Trade

September 22, 2025

DANBURY — The Danbury Hat Tricks have acquired defenseman Mark Pozsar and forward Denis Zaychik from the Watertown Wolves and financial considerations from the Athens Rock Lobsters in exchange for forward Gleb Bandurkin (to Athens) and defenseman Zach Ross and financial considerations (to Watertown).

Pozsar, 26, came over from Europe in 2023 and has spent the past two seasons in the FPHL with the Elmira River Sharks and HC Venom. Last year, the 5-foot-9 blueliner skated in 43 games with the Venom, totaling nine points (five goals, four assists) and 117 penalty minutes. In his first year of North American professional hockey, the Budapest, Hungary, native posted 143 penalty minutes and 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 49 contests.

“Mark brings a tenacity I felt we lacked last year," Hat Tricks general manager AJ Galante said. "He’s a defense-first defenseman and one of the best shot blockers in the league. “He’s an absolute workhorse, and his presence makes our D corps deeper and that much tougher to play against.”

Before heading to the FPHL, Pozsar played the 2022-23 season in Sweden with Sölvesborgs IK (Division 2), where he appeared in 36 games and picked up seven points (two goals, five assists) and 59 penalty minutes. He also enjoyed success in his native Hungary, winning back-to-back Erste Liga and Hungarian championships in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with Ferencvárosi TC while appearing in 18 playoff and regular-season games (3-4-7, 29 PIM).

Zaychik, 28, had a strong offensive season with the Venom, recording 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) and 17 penalty minutes in 32 games. Before joining the Venom, the Gomel, Belarus, native competed internationally in Finland’s Suomi-sarja with JHT (17 points in 18 games), Israel’s Ashdod Chiefs (11 points in six games, eight in playoffs) and Kfar Saba Wolves (21 points in six games, five in playoffs). He also skated in two games with New Zealand’s West Auckland Admirals (three points in two games) in the NZIHL. In Israel, he helped lead his teams to multiple titles, including the IEHL Championship, IEHL USA Challenge Cup and Israeli Championship.

His first FPHL and North American hockey experience came in 2019-20 with the Watertown Wolves, where he scored two goals in eight games.

“Denis is one of those unassuming players where you check the scoresheet at the end of the night and see he’s got two or three points,” Galante said. “He’s a master at putting himself in position to score or set up a goal. He gives everything he has every single shift.”

During 2023-24, he split the season between HK Brest in Belarus (12 points in 39 games), SHKM Baník Hodonín in Czechia3 (17 points in 14 games), and the IEHL’s Ashdod Dolphins (15 points in six games, seven in playoffs). His performances earned him team success abroad, including an IEHL Championship in Israel and a Belarus Silver Medal with HK Brest.

Bandurkin, 25, quickly established himself as one of the Hat Tricks’ most dangerous offensive weapons in his debut season. The Moscow, Russia, native led the team with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 49 games, finishing seventh in the league in goals. His 64 points rank fourth-most in a single season in franchise history, and he also paced the club with a +26 rating.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder notched three of the Hat Tricks’ five hat tricks, including a franchise-best four-goal performance on April 4 in Mississippi (11–3 W). Consistent throughout the year, he posted 16 multi-point games in the regular season before adding four points (1-3-4) in three playoff games. Bandurkin earned team Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

Ross, 25, skated in seven games with the Hat Tricks in 2024-25, registering one goal and one assist in his first professional season. The 6-foot-1 blueliner wrapped up his NCAA career at Misericordia University in 2024, where he recorded 12 points (1-11-12) in 25 games, after spending four seasons at Northland College.

“This is one of those bittersweet trades," Galante said. "I couldn’t be more excited about the return we got in this deal, but it’s also tough. As I’ve said before, if you want quality, you have to give quality. Bandurkin put the league on notice last year with his play, and I can’t say enough great things about him. Ross is another player with a high ceiling, and I truly believe both guys will flourish. My job isn’t just about making Danbury a better and more complete team, it’s also about looking out for the players, and I think this move gives Gleb and Zach a great opportunity to keep growing.”

The 2025–26 season is right around the corner and single-game and season tickets are on sale now! To learn more about our ticket packages and pricing, click here or email herm@danburyhattricks.com. To stay up to date on all things Danbury Hat Tricks hockey, visit www.danburyhattricks.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube (@DanburyHatTricks), subscribe to the Hat Tricks' newsletter here, and find game materials—game notes, line charts, and media guides—updated every game here.

ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT and compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the 2023 Commissioner's Cup Champions have brought thrilling, fast-paced, and hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their competitive spirit, electric atmosphere and strong community ties. The team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable game-day experience for fans of all ages while proudly representing the city of Danbury.

Off the ice, the Hat Tricks are committed to fostering connections within the local community through outreach programs with schools, businesses and charities. By developing top-tier hockey talent and growing the sport in the region, the Hat Tricks aim to bring the community together and deliver entertainment that leaves a lasting impact.