Capitals’ Ryan Leonard named 2025 World Juniors tournament MVP

Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard was named the 2025 World Juniors Most Valuable Player after notching five goals and five assists for 10 points in seven games.

Leonard becomes the sixth American since 2001-2002 to win the MVP Award joining the likes of Zach Parise, John Gibson, Casey Mittelstadt, Ryan Poehling and Trevor Zegras.

The United States captured a second straight Gold medal Sunday in a thrilling overtime victory over Finland with a goal from Nashville Predators prospect Teddy Stiga.

The International Ice Hockey Federation announced Sunday that the MVP award would be renamed to the Murray Costello Award.

Costello led the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and Hockey Canada as president for two decades, passed away in July 2024 at the age of 90.

“As an IIHF Lifetime Member and an inductee of the IIHF Hall of Fame, Murray had such a significant impact on hockey in Canada and around the world throughout his career,” said Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation. “We thank his family for their support of this recognition and look forward to them handing out the Murray Costello Award to the tournament MVP tonight in Ottawa, where Murray lived for most of his life.”

Previous MVP’s over the last handful of years have been Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, Anaheim Ducks forwards Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras won it back to back years, and New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafrenière.

Meanwhile, Petteri Rimpinen won the IIHF WJC U20 Best Goaltender Award. Rimpinen put together a 2.34 goals against average and a .933 save percentage through seven games. The undrafted goaltender certainly turned scouts eyes.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellika won the IIHF WJC U20 Best Defenseman Award. He notched four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven games while Sweden lost to Czechia in the Bronze medal game Sunday.