photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
Blend of talents worldwide
The IIHF’s Historical Committee has announced six finalists for the prestigious IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2024-25 hockey season. The list includes two Swiss players (Sven Andrighetto, Denis Malgin), two Americans (Clayton Keller, Jeremy Swayman), a Canadian (Nathan MacKinnon), and a Czech (David Pastrnak).
Swiss star forward Sven Andrighetto led his country to the gold-medal game at the recently-completed World Championship, winning a silver medal. He was second in tournament goal-scoring with seven, including four in a game against Germany. As well, he earned two championships with ZSC Zurich in domestic-league play. The Lions not only won the Swiss championship, they also own the Champions Hockey League title.
Team USA captain Clayton Keller led the Americans to their first World Championship gold medal since 1933. Keller had 10 points in as many games. In North America, he had 90 points with the Utah Hockey Club in the NHL.
MacKinnon tied for third in WM scoring, recording 13 points in eight games with Canada in Stockholm. In the NHL, he was second in scoring during the regular season, amassing 116 points with the Colorado Avalanche.
Swiss forward Denis Malgin also helped his country to a silver medal at the Men’s Worlds and tied for the tournament lead with 10 assists in as many games. Along with Andrighetto, Malgin also won the double of Swiss league championship and Champions League titles.
Czech star David Pastrnak led the WM in scoring with 15 points in eight games and was named Directorate Award Best Forward and WM All-Star Team/Forward. In the NHL, he finished fourth in scoring with 106 points with the Boston Bruins.
Lastly, Swayman led the Americans to their gold medal in Stockholm, posting a 7-0 W-L record and a save % of .921. At home, he had a 22-29-7 W-L-T record and an .892 save % in the NHL with Boston.
About the Award
The IIHF Male Player of the Year Award is given every year to a player who has best demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the most recent season.
The player must have competed in at least one IIHF tournament at any level this season (Men’s World Championship, World Junior Championship, Men’s U18 World Championship) as well as in a domestic league of the highest calibre for that country, the combined performances of which are considered superior to all other players. Career achievements have no merit in the voting. Candidates must be selected based only on this past year’s achievements.
Voting for the award will be carried out by members of media (70%) and members of the IIHF Family (30%), and the list includes more than 125 names. Media will be represented by at least one person from 22 countries—representing the 16 that participate in the top level of the Men’s Worlds and the next 6 in Division I-A.
The 2024-25 winner of the IIHF Male Player of the Year will be announced soon after the voting concludes on 13 June.
Previous Winners
2023-24 Roman Cervenka (CZE)
2022-23 Connor Bedard (CAN)
The IIHF’s Historical Committee has announced six finalists for the prestigious IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2024-25 hockey season. The list includes two Swiss players (Sven Andrighetto, Denis Malgin), two Americans (Clayton Keller, Jeremy Swayman), a Canadian (Nathan MacKinnon), and a Czech (David Pastrnak).
Swiss star forward Sven Andrighetto led his country to the gold-medal game at the recently-completed World Championship, winning a silver medal. He was second in tournament goal-scoring with seven, including four in a game against Germany. As well, he earned two championships with ZSC Zurich in domestic-league play. The Lions not only won the Swiss championship, they also own the Champions Hockey League title.
Team USA captain Clayton Keller led the Americans to their first World Championship gold medal since 1933. Keller had 10 points in as many games. In North America, he had 90 points with the Utah Hockey Club in the NHL.
MacKinnon tied for third in WM scoring, recording 13 points in eight games with Canada in Stockholm. In the NHL, he was second in scoring during the regular season, amassing 116 points with the Colorado Avalanche.
Swiss forward Denis Malgin also helped his country to a silver medal at the Men’s Worlds and tied for the tournament lead with 10 assists in as many games. Along with Andrighetto, Malgin also won the double of Swiss league championship and Champions League titles.
Czech star David Pastrnak led the WM in scoring with 15 points in eight games and was named Directorate Award Best Forward and WM All-Star Team/Forward. In the NHL, he finished fourth in scoring with 106 points with the Boston Bruins.
Lastly, Swayman led the Americans to their gold medal in Stockholm, posting a 7-0 W-L record and a save % of .921. At home, he had a 22-29-7 W-L-T record and an .892 save % in the NHL with Boston.
About the Award
The IIHF Male Player of the Year Award is given every year to a player who has best demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the most recent season.
The player must have competed in at least one IIHF tournament at any level this season (Men’s World Championship, World Junior Championship, Men’s U18 World Championship) as well as in a domestic league of the highest calibre for that country, the combined performances of which are considered superior to all other players. Career achievements have no merit in the voting. Candidates must be selected based only on this past year’s achievements.
Voting for the award will be carried out by members of media (70%) and members of the IIHF Family (30%), and the list includes more than 125 names. Media will be represented by at least one person from 22 countries—representing the 16 that participate in the top level of the Men’s Worlds and the next 6 in Division I-A.
The 2024-25 winner of the IIHF Male Player of the Year will be announced soon after the voting concludes on 13 June.
Previous Winners
2023-24 Roman Cervenka (CZE)
2022-23 Connor Bedard (CAN)