The IIHF Male Player of the Year award is given out annually by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), in recognition of the ice hockey player who "best exemplifies exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the preceding season."[1] It is selected by a panel of media and IIHF representatives drawn from among the member states of the International Ice Hockey Federation.[2]
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Annually to the player who "best exemplifies exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the preceding season." |
| History | |
| First award | 2023 |
| First winner | Connor Bedard |
| Most recent | Roman Červenka (2024) |
In order to be eligible, a player must have competed in at least one of four IIHF tournaments (the Winter Olympics, IIHF World Championships, IIHF World Junior Championships, or IIHF World U18 Championships) as well as in a national domestic league "of the highest caliber for that country," with "the combined performances of which were deemed superior to all other players."[1]
It was first awarded in 2023, along with its counterpart, the IIHF Female Player of the Year. Connor Bedard, of the Canadian national junior team and the WHL's Regina Pats, was the inaugural recipient.[3]
Winners
edit| Year | Winner | National Team | Club | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Connor Bedard |  Canada U20
|
Regina Pats (WHL) | [3] |
| 2024 | Roman Červenka |  Czech Republic
|
SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers (NL) | [4] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Podnieks, Andrew (1 June 2023). "Hilary Knight wins the inaugural IIHF Female Player of the Year Award". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Canada's Connor Bedard honored as IIHF's first male player of the year". Sportsnet. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ a b Podnieks, Andrew (19 June 2023). "Bedard named IIHF Male Player of the Year". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ Podnieks, Andrew (17 June 2024). "Cervenka edges Josi for Player of the Year". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 18 June 2024.