The former Hungarian ice hockey representative is well on the way to becoming a fair dinkum Kiwi, as he plans to apply for New Zealand citizenship within the next year.
But the 36-year-old's appointment to the head coach role after three years as an assistant coach for the national side brings to fruition a plan he had set in place when he moved to New Zealand in 2006.
''When I came here eight years ago, it was one of my goals to coach the New Zealand national team, so I think it's kind of a dream come true,'' Kaszala said.
''Coaching New Zealand is a big honour for me, that's for sure.''
Kaszala came to Dunedin with his wife and two children two years ago after six years in Christchurch, and has embraced the Dunedin lifestyle and the ice hockey community in the area.
In Dunedin, Kaszala coaches the Thunder in the national league as well as age-group teams.
''I'm really enjoying it. It's a great place,'' he said.
''We've got an awesome ice rink, basically the best I think in the country, and they're looking after me and the Thunder really well so I can't really complain.''
Kaszala's involvement with the Ice Blacks over the past three years has given him an insight into the strengths and shortcomings of the national side. The shortcomings often come down to availability, with players having to chip in to travel to the world events.
The Ice Blacks finished third in group B of division two in Spain last month after placing second in Turkey in 2013.
''To be honest, my goal as a head coach is to try to win the gold medal and move up one division,'' he said.
''We definitely have lots of individually talented players but, as a team, sometimes we aren't really able to go over as the strongest team.
''I have a couple of plans to change things around and try to make things cheaper. If we are able to take our best team, I think we have a really good chance to win that gold medal.''
Kaszala will stay in his Dunedin coaching role as the seasons complement each other perfectly.
''The New Zealand season is actually opposite the overseas seasons, so as soon as we're finished here, we can start to work with the Ice Blacks which just works out perfectly.
''I do what I love. I'm really lucky, I guess.''
