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Seider, Berggren Finalists For EHC Young Player Of The Year

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Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings prospects Moritz Seider and Jonatan Berggren are finalists for the EHC Young Player of the Year

The accolades continue to pile up for Moritz Seider. In his latest honor, he’s accompanied by another Detroit Red Wings prospect.

Seider and Jonathan Berggren are both among the five finalists for the European Young Player of the Year, presented by Fjällräven. The recognition is part of the 2021 Fenix Outdoor – Warrior European Hockey Awards. The awards are presented by the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs (EHC).

Playing for Skellefteå AIK, Berggren, 20, enjoyed a breakthrough season. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound winger finished seventh in SHL scoring, collecting 12-33-45 totals in 49 games. Berggren, selected 33rd overall by the Red Wings in 2018, added a goal and seven assists playing for Sweden in international competition. The Red Wings signed Berggren to a three-year entry-level contract in May.

Seider The Favorite

However, this award would appear to be Seider’s to lose. Playing for Rogle this season, all the 20-year-old defender has done is win the SHL defenseman of the year. He then went on to collect the top defenseman award at the recent IIHF World Championship while helping Germany to a fourth-place finish.

Seider was the sixth overall selection by the Red Wings in the 2019 NHL entry draft. Expectations are that the 6-foot-3, 207-pounder will play in Detroit next season.

Other finalists are Anton Lundell (IFK Helsinki), who won medals at the World Junior and World Championship, Lukas Reichel (Eisbären Berlin), who won a league title and Janis Moser (EHC Biel), who captained his club team at the age of 21. Both Lundell (Florida Panthers) and Reichel (Chicago Blackhawks) will be coming to North America next season after signing with NHL teams.

Datsyuk A Warrior

Former Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is one of five finalists for the EHC Warrior Career Excellence Award. The Warrior Career Excellence Award is annually presented to the player who during his or her career has best exemplified the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication. Also taken into account are community service and a high standard of playing ability.

Datsyuk is a member of the Triple Gold Club (Stanley Cup, World Championship and Olympic gold medals). He won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Wings, along with three Selke Trophies and four Lady Byng Trophies. He twice received the Kharlamov Trophy as Russia’s top NHL player. Since returning to Russia, Datysyuk added a Gagarin Cup to his trophy case. Playing for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg his season, the 42-year-old ended up with 12-23-35 numbers in 51 games.

Datsyuk will be facing tough competition for this award. Also among the nominees is hockey legend Jaromir Jagr. After helping Kladno return to the Czech Extraliga this season, multiple Stanley Cup, Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner Jagr is preparing to play next season, when he will turn 50.

The EHC awards are being conducted via fan voting. To cast a ballot, go to eurohockeyclubs.com or check in at their twitter feed @EHCAlliance.