The Morley Glass Leeds Knights are pleased to announce the re-signing of Balint Pakozdi ahead of the 2026/27 NIHL National season.


The Budapest-born forward joined the Knights for the 2025/26 season after five seasons with the Swindon Wildcats where he tallied up 186 points. But the left-hander wasn’t unknown to head coach Ryan Aldridge when he made the move to West Yorkshire with the two linking up in the Okanagan Hockey Academy UK in 2013 where Pakozdi started his junior training.


Wearing the ‘A’ last season gave Pakozdi an opportunity to step up and lead the team, infecting other players on the team with his relentlessness and desire to always do better. He ended the season with 18 goals and 41 assists in 59 league, Cup and play-off games for the Knights, but he came to Leeds with the intention of getting his hands on silverware.


Pakozdi was pivotal in the Knights securing the play-off title in the 2025/26 season. The Knights were 3-2 down with five minutes to play but two moments of magic from the 27-year-old helped Leeds to the trophy. He provided the assist on Edgars Vengis’ equalising goal, and then assisted Liam Peyton’s game winning goal just over a minute later with the Knights victorious our Yorkshire rivals, the Hull Seahawks, and crowned play-off champions.


Ryan Aldridge spoke on having Pakozdi back in the squad for next season saying: “It’s great to Bali back with us again. He is a solid all round hockey player that gives everything every night. He leads by example and is great with our younger players. He was a must-have back player and again, I am pleased we have him back for another year.”


Balint Pakozdi said: “I really enjoyed my first year here in Leeds and I knew that I wanted to come back so it was an easy decision when Ryan asked me. I love the city and the setup we have here is second to none. We had a great end to the season winning in Coventry and I'm looking forward to building on that and doing something even more special next year. Looking forward to getting back to Leeds and seeing you all at The Castle in September!”


Everyone here at Leeds Knights is delighted to welcome Bali back for another season and we can’t wait to see him back at The Castle soon.


Bali is sponsored by Switalskis Solicitors.