Juraj Slafkovsky named Slovakia’s Player of the Year

After an impressive 50-point NHL season, Juraj Slafkovsky has earned himself a fine honor in his native Slovakia.

The Habs forward won the title of Slovakian Player of the Year at a gala honoring Slovakia’s top players on Monday.

This is the second time Slafkovsky has earned the honor, having also been named Slovak Player of the Year in 2022, after a superb performance at the Beijing Olympics.

Martin Pospíšil and Libor Hudáček finished second and third respectively. The Player of the Year trophy is awarded on the basis of votes cast by selected members of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association.

As in 2022, Slafkovsky also won the title of Slovak forward of the year and Slovak player under 20 of the year. Even though he turned 20 last season, Slafkovsky was still eligible for this honor.

The title of forward of the year was even awarded to him by Slovak hockey legend Marian Hossa, who won the honor eight times during his career.