Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Forward Winner

Last Modified Dec 31, 2024 08:58 GMT
HOCKEY: DEC 29 IIHF World Junior Championship - Russia v USA
IIHF World Junior Championship - Russia v USA

The World Junior Championship is an annual international ice hockey tournament for national under-20 teams, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Typically, held from late December to early January, it features the top 10 ranked hockey nations competing in the 'Top Division,' while lower divisions play for promotion or to avoid relegation.

The tournament was officially held in 1977 for the first time. Since then, it has produced many talents in the world of ice hockey, many of them playing in the NHL. As of 2024, Canada leads in gold medals with 20, followed by the Soviet Union/Russia with 13. The event offers a global stage for rising stars, often influencing NHL Draft selections.

Related: Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Goaltender Winner

Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Forward winner

The World Junior Championship's Best Forward award is an annual award presented to the best forward of the tournament among all. Notably, Vladimir Krutov of the Soviet Union is the only player to have received this honor twice, in 1979 and 1980 as per Sporting News.

The veteran player, Wayne Gretzky received the Best Forward in 1978 and became the NHL's all-time leading scorer. Alexander Ovechkin, honored in 2005, has secured multiple NHL scoring titles and a Stanley Cup. Evgeni Malkin (2006) and Connor Bedard (2023) have also transitioned their junior success into prominent NHL careers.

The award has been a predictor of professional success, with many players becoming influential figures in international hockey. Peter Forsberg in 1993 and Pavel Bure in 1989 not only excelled in the NHL but also represented their countries on the global stage. Cutter Gauthier from the United States received the best forward award in 2024. Below is the table of recipients who received the best forward award year by year:

YearPlayer NameContry
2024Cutter GauthierUnited States
2023Connor BedardCanada
2022Mason McTavishCanada
2021Tim StützleGermany
2020Alexis LafrenièreCanada
2019Ryan PoehlingUnited States
2018Casey MittelstadtUnited States
2017Kirill KaprizovRussia
2016Jesse PuljujärviFinland
2015Max DomiCanada
2014Filip ForsbergSweden
2013Ryan Nugent-HopkinsCanada
2012Yevgeni KuznetsovRussia
2011Brayden SchennCanada
2010Jordan EberleCanada
2009John TavaresCanada
2008Viktor TikhonovRussia
2007Alexei CherepanovRussia
2006Evgeni MalkinRussia
2005Alexander OvechkinRussia
2004Zach PariseUnited States
2003Igor GrigorenkoRussia
2002Mike CammalleriCanada
2001Pavel BrendlCzech Republic
2000Milan KraftCzech Republic
1999Maxim AfinogenovRussia
1998Olli JokinenFinland
1997Alexei MorozovRussia
1996Jarome IginlaCanada
1995Marty MurrayCanada
1994Niklas SundströmSweden
1993Peter ForsbergSweden
1992Michael NylanderSweden
1991Eric LindrosCanada
1990Robert ReichelCzechoslovakia
1989Pavel BureSoviet Union
1988Alexander MogilnySoviet Union
1987Robert KronCzechoslovakia
1986Jim SandlakCanada
1985Michal PivonkaCzechoslovakia
1984Raimo HelminenFinland
1983Tomas SandströmSweden
1982Petri SkrikoFinland
1981Patrik SundströmSweden
1980Vladimir KrutovSoviet Union
1979Vladimir KrutovSoviet Union
1978Wayne GretzkyCanada
1977Dale McCourtCanada

Related: Most IIHF Junior Championship Best Defenceman Winner

FAQs on IIHF Junior Championship

A. The World Junior Championship 2024-25 is going to take place in Ottawa, Canada.

A. The United States won the World Junior Championship in 2024.

A.  IIHF stands for  International Ice Hockey Federation

A. Canada won the most IIHF World Juniors with 20 gold medals.

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