Nominees announced for 2019 Fenix Outdoor E.H.C. Hockey Awards
GOTHENBURG, Sweden – The Alliance of European Hockey Clubs (E.H.C.) has announced the nominees for the 2019 Fenix Outdoor European Hockey Awards.
Young Player of the Year – presented by Fjällräven
Nominated (in alphabetical order):
Emil Bemström (Djurgården, SHL) – 23 SHL goals, added 9 playoff points in rookie season
Aleksi Heponiemi (Kärpät, Liiga) – Led Kärpät to Liiga win & playoff Game-7, Finland to WJC gold
Kaapo Kakko (TPS, Liiga)– 38pts in 45GP, 5pts in 5 playoff GP, WJC gold, picked for IIHF Worlds
Kirill Kaprizov (CSKA, KHL) – At 21, led CSKA to first Gagarin Cup title, a budding star
Moritz Seider (Mannheim, DEL) – DEL Rookie of the Year, sensational part in Mannheim’s title win
Coach of the Year – presented by Globetrotter
Nominated (in alphabetical order):
Pavel Gross (Mannheim, DEL) – In first season, turned underachiever to winner, DEL + playoffs
Kari Jalonen (Bern, NLA) – Second title in three years, brought stability to up-and-down club
Adam Keefe (Belfast, EIHL) – National & Cup title, major influence on Giants and GBR national team
Antti Pennanen (HPK, Liiga) – Wins title with low-budget team and players rejected by other clubs
Roger Rönnberg (Frölunda, SHL) – Top in Sweden, top in Europe – the perfect season
Club of the Year – presented by Hanwag
Nominated (in alphabetical order):
Adler Mannheim (DEL) – Regular season champs, also win title after 3 disappointing seasons
CSKA Moscow (KHL) – First title since 1989, comeback perfect for the once superior club
Frölunda Gothenburg (SHL) – Biggest Euro dominance since 1980s CSKA Moscow; 3 CHL titles, 4 finals
Kärpät Oulu (Liiga) – Historic .761 win percentage in regular season, lost final Game 7 in OT
SC Bern (NLA) – Top Euro attendance for 18th straight season, adds perfect domestic “double”
Warrior Career Excellence Award
The Warrior Career ExcellenceAward is annually presented to the player who during his or her career has best exemplified the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication combined with community service and high standard of playing ability.
Nominated (in alphabetical order):
Thomas Koch (KAC, EBEL) – Heart & soul of club, brought gold back to town, his 9th national title
Lasse Kukkonen (Kärpät, Liiga) – Leads, produces, adds titles at 37. Iconic Kärpät figure
Joel Lundqvist (Frölunda, SHL) – The captain’s captain. 3 Worlds, 4 SHL gold, 3 CHL gold
Branko Radivojevič (Trenčín, SVK) – At 38, spiritual leader of his maternal club, true role model
Michael Wolf (Munich, DEL) – Cult figure whose value to German hockey goes beyond stats
The winners will be announced and celebrated at the Fenix Outdoor European Hockey Awards Dinner in Prague, Czech Republic on 11 June 2019.
