Leonard named MVP
by Lucas AYKROYD|06 JAN 2025
Ryan Leonard, captain of the gold-medal American team, is the first recipient of the Murray Costello World Junior Championship MVP Award. 
photo: PHOTO: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
share
The International Ice Hockey Federation has announced the winners of the individual awards and the tournament all-star team after the gold medal game of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Ryan Leonard was named MVP. The American captain, who scored five goals and five assists for the champions, received the inaugural Murray Costello World Junior Championship MVP Award. Costello, a longtime IIHF Council Member and former Hockey Canada president, passed away at age 90 in the summer of 2024. In recognition of his many achievements, the IIHF has decided to rename the MVP award in his honour. Jim Costello, Murray's son, made the official first presentation.

“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 IIHF President Luc Tardif ahead of the 2025 final in Ottawa, Canada.

IIHF Directorate Awards
Best Goalkeeper:Petteri Rimpinen, Finland
Best Defender: Axel Sandin Pellikka, Sweden
Best Forward: Ryan Leonard, USA

Media All-Star Team & MVP
Goalkeeper: Petteri Rimpinen, Finland
Defender: Cole Hutson, USA
Defender: Axel Sandin Pellikka, Sweden
Forward: Ryan Leonard, USA
Forward: Jakub Stancl, Czechia
Forward: Gabe Perreault, USA
Most Valuable Player: Ryan Leonard, USA