Galimov, Leivo, and Shabanov named finalists for Golden Stick award

KHL.ru presents the finalists for the Golden Stick award – the trophy for the most valuable player of the 2024-2025 KHL regular season.

The Golden Stick award recipient is determined by a vote among all the Kontinental Hockey League head coaches. Ak Bars’ Artyom Galimov, Salavat Yulaev’s Joshua Leivo, and Traktor’s Maxim Shabanov are the three finalists for the 2024-2025 edition.

Artyom Galimov (Ak Bars)

59 (35+24) points in 68 games

Galimov became the top scorer for the Kazan team in the 2024-2025 campaign and also broke the club’s single-season goal-scoring record. League-wide, Galimov ranked fifth in points, third in goals, and led all players in plus-minus rating.

Joshua Leivo (Salavat Yulaev)

80 (49+31) points in 62 games

In the 2024-2025 season, Livo managed to break Sergei Mozyakin’s record for most goals scored in a single regular season. The Canadian forward not only became the league’s top goal scorer but also the top point scorer of the first stage of the season, matching Salavat Yulaev’s all-time points record.

Maxim Shabanov (Traktor)

67 (23+44) points in 65 games

Shabanov finished as the third-highest scorer of the regular season, breaking the club records for both points and assists in a single regular season along the way. He is currently the only nominee still competing for the Gagarin Cup, and ranks second in playoff scoring.

Alexander Radulov, Sergei Mozyakin (both four times), Vadim Shipachyov, Dmitrij Jaskin, Nikita Gusev (all twice), and Danis Zaripov have won this award in the past.

The Closing Ceremony for the 2024-2025 season will be held on May 29, 2025.