The United States are 2024 World Juniors champions.
David Carle's team capped off its undefeated run at the tournament by defeating Sweden 6-2 in the gold medal game. It is the sixth time the Americans have won gold at the competition and second time in the last four years.
However, the medals weren't the only pieces of hardware being handed out at the tournament. The Most Valuable Player honor, as well as the IIHF Directorate Awards also were given out at the conclusion of the competition.
MORE: USA wins sixth World Juniors gold medal after defeating Sweden in 2024 championship
Here is a look at who won MVP at the 2024 World Juniors and the other honors given out.
Who won MVP at the 2024 World Juniors?
- Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
Despite his team coming up short in the gold medal game, Sweden's Jonathan Lekkerimaki was named tournament MVP. The Canucks prospect was the best forward all tournament long for the Swedes, leading the tournament with seven goals while adding three assists as well.
The MVP of the tournament has always gone to a member of one of the three teams that received medals, either gold, silver or bronze.
The award differs from the World Juniors Directorate awards, where there are three given —Best Forward, Best Defenseman and Best Goaltender.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Sweden) |
| 2023 | Connor Bedard (Canada) |
| 2022 | Mason McTavish (Canada) |
| 2021 | Trevor Zegras (USA) |
| 2020 | Alexis Lafreniere (Canada) |
| 2019 | Ryan Poehling (USA) |
| 2018 | Casey Mittelstadt (USA) |
| 2017 | Thomas Chabot (Canada) |
| 2016 | Jesse Puljujarvi (Finland) |
| 2015 | Denis Godla (Slovakia) |
| 2014 | Filip Forsberg (Sweden) |
| 2013 | John Gibson (USA) |
| 2012 | Evgeny Kuznetsov (Russia) |
| 2011 | Brayden Schenn (Canada) |
| 2010 | Jordan Eberle (Canada) |
| 2009 | John Tavares (Canada) |
| 2008 | Steve Mason (Canada) |
| 2007 | Carey Price (Canada) |
| 2006 | Evgeni Malkin (Russia) |
| 2005 | Patrice Bergeron (Canada) |
| 2004 | Zach Parise (USA) |
World Juniors 2024 Directorate Awards
- Best Forward: Cutter Gauthier (USA)
- Best Defenseman: Axel Sandin Pellikka (Sweden)
- Best Goalie: Hugo Havelid (Sweden)
Cutter Gauthier earned the honor of Best Forward. The USA winger finished tied for first in points at the tournament, with 12 in seven games. While he only finished with two goals, the Flyers prospect could easily have had more, and came through in the clutch with the game-winning goal for the Americans in the semifinals.
Axel Sandin Pellikka was as advertised for the Swedes. The Red Wings prospect was a key cog on a Swedish blue line that, for the most part, contained every offense it faced at the tournament. In the seven games, Sandin Pellikka finished with two goals and four assists.
Hugo Havelid was sensational for the host Sweden. In five games, the undrafted goaltender finished with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.77 and a save percentage of .914%.
World Juniors 2023 Media All-Stars
- Forwards: Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Sweden), Cutter Gauthier (USA), Jiri Kulich (Czechia)
- Defensemen: Theo Lindstein (Sweden), Lane Hutson (USA)
- Goalie: Hugo Havelid (Sweden)
