2019 Fenix Outdoor European Hockey Awards

The winners:

Young Player of the Year

Aleksi Heponiemi (Kärpät Oulu, FIN/Liiga) – In the seemingly never ending influx of Finnish hockey talent, rookie Aleksi Heponiemi dominated in both the Finnish Liiga for Kärpät Oulu and for the Finnish junior national team. He led Finland to World Juniors gold while leading the event in scoring and led the national league in both points (46) and assists (30) for rookies. Also a force in Kärpät’s Champions Hockey League campaign, with 7pts in 10GP. Took Kärpät to Game-7 OT of the Finnish playoffs. Awarded with a contract with NHL Florida Panthers following this great season. 

Other nominees: Emil Bemström (Djurgården, SWE/SHL), Kaapo Kakko (TPS Turku, FIN/Liiga), Kirill Kaprizov (CSKA Moscow, RUS/KHL) Moritz Seider (Adler Mannheim, GER/DEL).

Coach of the Year

Roger Rönnberg (Frölunda Indians, SWE/SHL) – Embarked on a mission to lead the Gothenburg club to the coveted “Double” - and mission was accomplished, through emphatic wins in Europe (CHL) and domestically (SHL). Rönnberg showed strong leadership throughout the season, pushing and convincing his team that both titles where within reach. Put together the deadliest power-play ever seen in Swedish playoffs, and built a champion team of young players and veterans.

Other nominees: Pavel Gross (Adler Mannheim, GER/DEL), Kari Jalonen (SC Bern, SUI/NL), Adam Keefe (Belfast Giants, GBR/EIHL), Antti Pennanen (HPK, FIN/Liiga)

Club of the Year

Frölunda Indians (SWE/SHL) – The best season in club’s history. One has to go back to the late 80s and Soviet CSKA Moscow to find a club that has been so dominant in Europe, winning their third CHL-title, while playing in their fourth final in five years. Aside from winning the Champions Hockey League and the SHL-championship in the same season, Frölunda’s juniors had a global impact; Rasmus Dahlin was picked 1st overall in the NHL draft, while Lucas Raymond scored in OT to give Sweden their 1st IIHF World U18 gold medal. Also national U16 & U18 champions. 

Other nominated clubs: Adler Mannheim (GER/DEL), CSKA Moscow (RUS/KHL) Kärpät Oulu (FIN/Liiga), SC Bern (SUI/NL)

Warrior Career Excellence Award

The Warrior of the Year is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication, career excellence, combined with a community service and high standard of playing ability.

Michael Wolf (Red Bull Munich, GER/DEL) – There are players whose accomplishments and importance to the game cannot solely be measured in numbers. Michael Wolf’s two-decade long career and its impact on German hockey goes beyond statistics. He is the epitome of career excellence, sportsmanship and dedication. The silent leader, who always made his teammates better, was the cornerstone and captain of the Red Bull Munich’s three-time championship team, incl. the last CHL-final. After more than 1000 club games, some 500 goals, 7 IIHF Worlds and one Olympics, Michael Wolf retires as one of German hockey’s and DEL’s finest.

Other nominees: Thomas Koch (Klagenfurter AC, AUT/EBEL), Lasse Kukkonen (Kärpät, FIN/Liiga), Joel Lundqvist (Frölunda, SWE/SHL), Branko Radivojevic (D. Trencin, SVK)

Tweets by @eurohockey