On May 29, the KHL held its closing ceremony for the XVII season at the prestigious Barvikha Luxury Village concert hall. The event celebrated the top performers of the year, presenting individual awards to the season`s best players, coach, manager, and referees.
League President Alexey Morozov opened the evening, welcoming all participants and spectators. He underscored the truly unique nature of the season that had just concluded.
The season was indeed vibrant, filled with numerous spectacular goals, emotional victories, and incredible saves. Goaltending brilliance was particularly evident, with Lokomotiv`s Daniil Isaev earning the Best Goaltender award for the second consecutive year. Following the league`s practice of publishing voting results since last year, it was revealed that Isaev narrowly beat his closest competitor, Vladislav Podyapolsky of Dynamo Moscow, by a single point. Podyapolsky did not leave the ceremony empty-handed, however, as he was named to the symbolic All-Star Team and received a Golden Helmet.
Reigning champions Lokomotiv also took home another major award: their head coach, Igor Nikitin, was recognized as the Best Coach. On stage, Nikitin displayed his characteristic composure, akin to his demeanor on the bench, and even received a lighthearted request from Chief Referee Alexey Anisimov to smile more often during games.
The most decorated individual of the evening was Salavat Yulaev star Joshua Leivo. Adding the Golden Stick as the Most Valuable Player to his regular season titles as Scoring Leader and Top Sniper, Leivo had a truly exceptional year. Unfortunately, he was unable to accept all his prizes in person. According to Salavat Yulaev General Director Rinat Bashirov, Leivo specifically asked him to express gratitude to the club`s management from the stage – a remark that elicited laughter from the audience. This season, Joshua notably set a record with four hat-tricks in one month, and fittingly concluded it with a “hat-trick” of individual awards.
Artyom Galimov of Ak Bars was named the Best Player by Plus/Minus rating, while Trevor Murphy of Sibir received the award for Most Productive Defenseman. The Andrei Starovoit Award, the “Golden Whistle of the Chief Referee,” was presented to Denis Naumov. Interestingly, two years prior, he had publicly stated his goal to become the league`s best chief referee. Achievement unlocked! The Mikhail Galinovsky Award, the “Golden Whistle” for a Linesman, went to Dmitry Shishlo, who took the opportunity from the stage to send greetings to his son, Vladik.
Addressing his family from the stage was also Ilya Kablukov, recipient of the Sergey Gimaev Award for “Loyalty to Hockey.” He shared words of thanks for “my wife and daughters who have tolerated all this for so many long years.” During the past season (2023-2024), he played his 1000th game in the KHL, securing the second position for the most games played in league history.
The Fonbet Overtime Hero of the Season was named Maxim Shalunov, scorer of Lokomotiv`s winning “golden goal” in the Gagarin Cup final. His teammate and recognized “Energizer” of the League, Alexander Radulov, also received a Golden Helmet, as did Alexander Nikishin (SKA), Damir Sharipzyanov (Avangard), Maxim Shabanov (Traktor), Leivo, and Podyapolsky.
The 2023/2024 KHL season is now officially concluded. A new championship lies ahead for all hockey fans, and there is no doubt it will prove to be even more thrilling and memorable.
Gareth Tenby 
Neville Woodall