Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky Wins Slovakia Player of the Year

Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky Wins Slovakia Player of the Year

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky secured multiple awards at a gala celebrating hockey players from Slovakia yesterday.

The 20-year-old took home the awards for best under-20 player, Forward of the Year, and the top title of Player of the Year. The two runners-up for the latter were Martin Pospisil in the Calgary Flames organization and Libor Hudacek of HC Oceláři Třinec. The prize is awarded through a voting process cast by the Slovak Ice Hockey Association.

In his sophomore season last year, Slafkovsky established himself on the Canadiens' top offensive line and finished with 20 goals and 30 assists. He was one of seven players in the NHL to rack up 20+ goals, 30+ assists and 150+ hits. Because he was 19 for most of the 2023-24 season, (his birthday is in March), he was eligible for the best under-20 player award. He additionally contributed eight assists for Slovakia at the World Championships.

This is not the first instance of the young Slovak winning Player of the Year. Slafkovsky was awarded the honor in 2022, following his seven-goal, tournament MVP performance at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Said display of scoring is what boosted his draft stock and landed him the first-overall selection spot when the Canadiens picked him.

With the acquisition of Finnish sniper Patrik Laine this offseason, it will be interesting to see the line combinations of the top six forwards this upcoming year. Slafkovsky and his two linemates Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield established sound chemistry during the second half of last year.

Last year’s Player of the Year recipient was former Habs forward—now with the New Jersey Devils—Tomas Tatar.

Marian Hossa has received the award eight times, the most of any Slovak hockey player. He announced Slafkovsky’s name at last night’s event. 

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