At the conclusion of the Gold Medal match the IIHF directorate are asked to vote on a variety of awards for the year’s tournament. They name the best defenseman, best forward, and best goaltender for the tournament while members of the media decide the tournament’s MVP.
Today we’re going to take a look at where these awards stand just a few days before the tournament begins, following a few contenders for each major award. Some of these guys are here more for their track record so far this season, and others more for their reputation, but all of these players have serious chances at being recognized as the best amongst their peers.
IIHF Directorate Awards
The winner of these awards is selected by the IIHF directorate, announced shortly after the Gold Medal Game has finished.
Best Forward Contenders:
David Edstrom, C, Sweden
David Edstrom is a big center prospect who I was very high on in the 2023 Draft as a powerful two-way center. Edstrom is a massive defensive presence down the middle, but also has a ton of offense to give, mainly through his passing. That’s partly because he’s spent most of his time playing against grown men for the past two years, and I think he’ll flourish this year in this chance to play against his own age group
Ryan Leonard, LW, USA
Ryan Leonard is a hardworking forward with a ton of offensive skill and a motor that never quits. I would like to wish his opponents the best of luck because Leonard is something like the comic book character “The Juggernaut”, with a massive amount of momentum and force behind every play he makes.
Related: Guide to the 2025 World Junior Championship
His tenacity causes lapses in his opponents’ focus, and he has more than enough skill and goal scoring ability to make them pay for any mistakes.
Calum Ritchie, C, Canada
Calum Ritchie is one of those players that has been talked about as a strong two-way center for long enough that people forget just how dangerous he is offensively. Ritchie has scored 113 points in his last 68 OHL games, and has looked very confident in pre-tournament action for Canada.
Calum Ritchie pulled out the shootout fake move again.
Misa and Martone have been box office. Sennecke has been hit. Cowan remains consistent. But Ritchie’s the best player in the OHL for my money. pic.twitter.com/vgq6EqcBHl
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 16,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…