The Macon Mayhem signed forward Kevin Szabad for the 2026–27 season through an October 8 announcement. The 29-year-old from Budapest, Hungary, is entering his 10th professional season and third in North America. His arrival adds an experienced forward to Macon’s preparation for the SPHL opener.
The club described Szabad as a six-foot-two power forward. Head coach Dave Pszenyczny identified additional physicality as a reason for the signing and pointed to Szabad’s frame as part of that role. Those comments establish what Macon hopes to receive from the addition as the lineup takes shape.
The announcement placed Szabad’s arrival during the team’s training camp before the October 10 exhibition in Athens. Macon subsequently lost that game 3–2 in overtime while scoring both of its goals on the power play. The result supplies a recent team performance for the staff to examine as it organizes its regular-season forward responsibilities.
Szabad joins a roster that includes other October additions across several positions. Macon announced defenseman Dylan Dreveny on October 3 after his five-year college club hockey career at Alabama. Those signings illustrate the different experience levels entering camp, with Szabad’s professional background contrasting with a player preparing for his first pro season.
The Mayhem also retained an experienced presence in goal when Josh Boyko returned for a fifth season. Boyko finished the previous campaign with 20 wins and a .918 save percentage, according to the team’s announcement. Maintaining that background while evaluating new players gives Macon continuity within its broader roster work.
Macon opens the regular season at Athens on October 16 at 7:05 p.m. Eastern. The Mayhem’s first home game follows October 24 against Birmingham at 6 p.m. at the Macon Coliseum. The schedule announcement places Macon in an expanded 60-game season, giving the new roster an extended set of assignments to navigate.
GSB Take
Szabad’s value should come from how effectively his experience and physical play help Macon sustain possessions. Winning a board battle or creating space around the net is most useful when it leads to a controlled puck or a scoring chance. The Mayhem will need that work alongside disciplined play as the team moves from roster construction into its opening games.