The Kontinental Hockey League has officially recognized the standout athletes from the semifinal round of the 2026 Gagarin Cup, selecting the best player in four key positions. The awards highlight individual excellence during the intense playoff series.
Goaltender Nikita Serebryakov of Avangard earned the top goaltender honor. He backstopped his team to three victories across seven games, posting a solid 2.00 goals-against average and an impressive .938 save percentage throughout the series.
On the blue line, Ak Bars defenseman Mitchell Miller was named the best defenseman. Miller contributed five assists in five games during the round, finishing with a plus-3 rating while helping to anchor his team's defense.
The best forward award went to Lokomotiv's Maxim Shalunov. The prolific scorer tallied six points, including five goals and one assist, over seven contests. He also posted a strong plus-4 rating, demonstrating his two-way impact on the ice.
Rounding out the honors, Ak Bars forward Stepan Terekhov was selected as the top rookie. The young player completed his five semifinal games with a plus-3 rating, showcasing his readiness for high-stakes playoff hockey.
These individual accolades underscore the depth of talent across the KHL's playoff contenders as teams battle for the championship. The performances of these players were crucial to their respective clubs' journeys through the semifinal stage.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.