Juraj Slafkovský leads the annual Slovak hockey awards as the top player and best forward, according to the official player rankings released for the national hockey honors. Slafkovský secured the top spot in both the overall Hokejista roka category and the Jozef Golonka Award for best forward, outpacing a field of established NHL and international competitors.
National Award Winners and Category Breakdown
The selection process evaluates standout performances across multiple positions and age groups. According to the final results, Martin Fehérváry claimed the Róbert Švehla Award as the best defenseman, edging out fellow NHL blue-liner Erik Černák, who finished second in the positional voting. Fehérváry also placed second behind Slafkovský in the overall player standings.
In the goaltending department, Samuel Hlavaj captured the Vladimír Dzurilla Award as the best netminder. Adam Gajan took second place, while Stanislav Škorvánek rounded out the top three. Among players under 20 years old, Tomáš Chrenko earned the Pavol Demitra Award, followed by Luka Radivojevič and Adam Goljer in the voting for the nation’s top young talent.
Did you know? The Vladimír Dzurilla Award is named after Vladimír Dzurilla.
Coaching, Officiating, and Women’s Hockey Honors
Behind the bench, Vladimír Országh received the Ladislav Horský Award as the best coach, according to the voting results. Martin Dendis finished second, and Andrej Kmeč took third. In the women’s division, Nela Lopušanová claimed the top spot as the best female hockey player, ahead of Lucia Halušková in second and Barbora Kapičáková in third.
Officiating excellence was recognized through the Juraj Okoličány Award, given to the top referee. Oto Durmis finished first in the voting, with Peter Stano second and Tomáš Hronský third. These selections highlight the broad scope of hockey development monitored by the national federation across players, coaches, and officials.
Hall of Fame Additions
The Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame expands with new classes added across consecutive years, honoring foundational figures and modern stars alike. The 2025 induction class features Zdeno Chára and Pavol Siroťák, adding two pillars of the sport to the historic roster. They follow Ľubomír Višňovský, who entered the Hall of Fame in 2024, and Marián Hossa, who was inducted in 2023.
Looking to subsequent additions, the 2026 class includes Michal Handzuš and Craig Ramsay, anchoring the prestige of an institution that dates back to its inaugural 2002 intake. The original 2002 class featured icons such as Ladislav Troják, Stan Mikita, and Vladimír Dzurilla, setting a standard for greatness that modern award winners continue to chase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Hokejista roka award?
Juraj Slafkovský finished first in the overall Hokejista roka voting, followed by Martin Fehérváry in second and Erik Černák in third.
Who received the best goaltender award?
Samuel Hlavaj won the Vladimír Dzurilla Award as the best goaltender, with Adam Gajan taking second and Stanislav Škorvánek taking third.
Who are the recent Hall of Fame inductees?
Zdeno Chára and Pavol Siroťák entered the Hall of Fame for 2025, while Michal Handzuš and Craig Ramsay are slated for the 2026 class.
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