Hockey

Juraj Slafkovský named Slovakia’s Player of the Year
Félix Forget
Juraj Slafkovský named Slovakia’s Player of the Year
Credit: Getty Images

Juraj Slafkovský is one of the big guns in the Canadiens' core. The young Slovak, who has high expectations for himself and his team this season, is also a star in his native country.Over there, he's really, really popular.And today, Slaf was in his native Slovakia as part of a gala honoring Slovak hockey stars.

Last year, at the same gala, he won the Player of the Year award, so he was trying to defend his title this year.

And after winning the title of best forward earlier today, we have just learned that he has once again been named Slovakia's player of the year,ahead of Martin Fehervary and Martin Gernat, who complete the podium.

Obviously, it's not a huge surprise to see him win this title. He may still have some way to go to establish himself as a top NHL forward, but he's clearly the best active player to come out of his country.No one was surprised when he was one of the first six players chosen to represent Slovakia at the next Olympics, you know.It's safe to assume that this honor will be Slaf ‘s for many, many years to come. There are a few young Slovaks on the rise, but Simon Nemec and Filip Mesar, the other two youngsters drafted in the same year as Slaf, are slow to develop.Dalibor Dvorsky is one who could eventually play in Slafkovský's footsteps, but he still has some way to go.Another fine accolade for the 21-year-old forward, who is defending his Player of the Year title in his native country. Let's see how many years he can hold on to that title.spacer title='Overtime']- He didn't do his military service.

– I'd be surprised, personally.

– Too bad,

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