The EUHL All-Star Team and the play-offs’ most valuable player are given, the name of the best coach is still unknown
The members of the All-Star Team were determined by the votes of the coaches of all participating teams. Each player could thus receive a maximum of eight votes.
The best goalkeeper of the EUHL (European University Hockey League) is Andrej Julínek from the UMB Hockey Team Banská Bystrica, the league champion. Adam Šimurda (Philosophers Nitra) and Botond Galusnyák (Sapientia U23) earned a place in the elite defense. The three best forwards are Richard Novodomec (UMB Hockey Team Banská Bystrica), Erik Smolka (Gladiators Trenčín) and Ihor Nikolaevich (UHT Sabers Oświęcim).
The coaches also decided on the best rookie of the season, Benedek Madácsi from UNI Győr ETO HC. He collected 21 points (14+7) in thirteen games. “Although the team from Győr did not make it to the play-offs, it is a high-quality, competitive participant of the league. Its clever individualities, led by Madácsi, confirm this. I also want to congratulate him on his great performance and keep my fingers crossed so that he keeps on entertaining us with his game,” said Peter Špankovič, the general manager of EUHA (European University Hockey Association), addressing the best rookie.
The award for the most productive player of the regular season will go to Erik Smolka from Gladiators Trenčín. He literally broke free from the chain, scored 15 goals in thirteen matches and assisted to another 14 ones. “Erik is one of the most complex players in the entire league. He is good not only on the ice, but he also has great leadership skills, as proved by the fact that he is the captain of the Gladiators and was also the captain of the Slovak university team at last year‘s World Cup of University Hockey in Romania. What he demonstrates on the ice, I think, must also be appreciated by his opponents. He simply enjoys hockey and we enjoy it at the same time,” said EUHA president Ľubomír Sekeráš.
On top of that, the captain of the team from Trenčín will also receive the play-offs’ MVP (most valuable player) award. During the elimination phase, he gained 16 (9+7) points in eight games.
The award ceremony is scheduled in May. It will be preceded by the EUHL conference. At the mentioned ceremony, the name of the best coach, manager and also of the winner of the EUHL development prize will be announced, too. “Every year after the end of the season, we have an official meeting with the coaches and managers of the teams, during which we evaluate the last season and at the same time we start preparing for the upcoming one. I can already reveal that there will be at least one new team in the 2024/2025 season,” said Sekeráš, who did not yet want to specify where the new EUHL participant should be from.
