1
Player of the Game
For the player who made the biggest positive impact. Scoring, defending, goaltending or simply playing a complete game.
All PositionsYouth Hockey Award Guide
25 Hockey Awards for Kids That Players Will Actually Remember
Skip the generic trophy list. Here are practical youth hockey awards for effort, teamwork, milestones, goalies, game days and the end of the season.
Quick Picks: Best Youth Hockey Awards
Need an idea fast? Start here.
| Recognize | Try This Award |
|---|---|
| Overall game impact | Player of the Game |
| Effort | Heart & Hustle |
| Work ethic | Hardest Worker |
| Passing | Playmaker |
| Goaltending | Brick Wall |
| Defence | Defensive Standout |
| Improvement | Most Improved |
| Team first attitude | Best Teammate |
| First big milestone | First Goal |
| Leadership | Dressing Room Leader |
1
Game Day Hockey Awards
Easy post game awards that recognize what just happened on the ice.
2
Game Changer
A big penalty kill, blocked shot, game saving backcheck or single play that changed the momentum.
Big Moment3
Playmaker
Rewards vision, passing and creating opportunities for teammates instead of only finishing them.
Team Play4
Brick Wall
A goalie award for big saves, composure and battling through pressure.
Goalies5
Defensive Standout
For smart positioning, stick work, backchecking and protecting the front of the net.
DefenceTurn Player of the Game into something they can keep.
Add a puck award sticker to your own hockey puck, write in the player and game details, then hand them a keepsake from that game.
Simple setup
Clean puck → apply sticker → write player details → present after the game.
2
Effort & Character Awards
Reward the things every player can control: effort, attitude and teamwork.
6
Heart & Hustle
For relentless skating, puck races, second efforts and refusing to quit on a play.
Effort7
Hardest Worker
Recognizes the player doing the difficult jobs shift after shift.
Work Ethic8
Best Teammate
For encouraging others, supporting the goalie and keeping the bench positive.
Teamwork9
Most Coachable
For listening, asking good questions and applying coaching feedback.
Development10
Unsung Hero
For important contributions that rarely show up on the scoresheet.
Quiet ImpactNeed an award that isn't about goals?
Heart & Hustle gives coaches a simple way to recognize effort, grit and second effort plays.
3
Hockey Milestone Awards
Some hockey moments only happen once. Those are worth saving.
11
First Goal
Save the puck when possible and record the player's name, date and opponent.
Milestone12
First Assist
A simple way to celebrate passing, vision and a player's first setup.
Milestone13
First Shutout
A memorable goalie milestone that works perfectly as a permanent puck keepsake.
Goalie14
Hat Trick
Three goals in one game deserves a spot on the player's puck shelf.
Achievement15
Breakout Game
For the night where a developing player suddenly looks more confident, composed and involved.
ProgressOne pack. Different moments.
Mixed Hockey Award Stickers make it easier to recognize different achievements throughout the season.
Useful for
First goals, standout games, defensive performances, effort and other memorable moments.
4
End of Season Hockey Awards
Look beyond one game and recognize what a player contributed all season.
16
Most Improved
For meaningful growth in skating, confidence, positioning or overall play.
Development17
Team MVP
For consistent impact across the season. Not just raw points.
Season18
Sportsmanship
Recognizes respect for teammates, opponents and officials.
Character19
Dressing Room Leader
For including teammates, setting the tone and leading without needing a letter.
Leadership20
Dedication Award
For consistent commitment to practices, games and the team.
CommitmentPlanning a banquet? See our complete hockey end of season awards guide →
5
Fun Hockey Awards for Kids
Keep them positive. The goal is to make the player smile, not embarrass them.
21
Bench Energy
For the player keeping everyone engaged with encouragement and stick taps.
22
Puck Hound
For the player determined to come out of every puck battle with possession.
23
Warm Up Warrior
For showing up focused, energized and ready before the puck even drops.
24
Snack MVP
A deliberately silly award for younger teams and memorable post game snacks.
25
Master Tape Job
For the player who treats stick tape like an art form.
Best Hockey Awards by Age
Keep the award aligned with what players are learning at that stage.
U7 to U9
Fun + Confidence
Keep recognition simple, positive and easy to understand.
- Heart & Hustle
- First Goal
- Best Teammate
- Team Spirit
- Great Listener
U11 to U13
Team Play + Habits
Start recognizing specific hockey behaviours and team concepts.
- Playmaker
- Defensive Standout
- Hardest Worker
- Game Changer
- Most Coachable
U15 to U18
Leadership + Impact
Make recognition more specific to performance, growth and accountability.
- Player of the Game
- Unsung Hero
- Dressing Room Leader
- Team MVP
- Brick Wall
A Simple Hockey Award System for Coaches
You don't need a complicated program.
1
Recognize something specific
Don't just say “great game.” Tell the player exactly what earned the award.
2
Track your awards
Keep a simple roster list so you notice contributions across the entire team.
3
Give them something worth keeping
Traveling awards are fun. A personalized puck gives the player something from the moment to take home.
More Than Game Night
The Award Can Outlast the Game
A Player of the Game puck can start at the rink and end up on a shelf, desk or trophy display at home.
Add the player's name, date and opponent and the puck becomes a reminder of one specific hockey moment.
That is the goal. Simple recognition now. A keepsake later.
Turn an Ordinary Hockey Puck Into a Player Keepsake
Our approximately 2.74 inch hockey puck award stickers are designed for standard 3 inch hockey pucks and include write on spaces for game details.
Stickers only. Hockey pucks and permanent marker are not included.
Hockey Awards for Kids: Quick Answers
What are good hockey awards for kids?
Player of the Game, Heart & Hustle, Hardest Worker, Playmaker,
Brick Wall, Best Teammate and Most Improved are strong starting points
because they recognize different types of contributions.
Should youth hockey awards always go to the best player?
No. Awards can recognize effort, teamwork, improvement, defensive play,
goaltending and milestones. Not just goals and assists.
What are good hockey awards for younger kids?
For U7 and U9 players, keep awards focused on fun, effort and milestones.
Heart & Hustle, First Goal, Best Teammate and Team Spirit are easy
choices for younger teams.
How do you make a Player of the Game puck?
Start with a clean hockey puck, apply a puck sized award sticker and add
the player's name and game information with an appropriate permanent marker.
What are good hockey awards for goalies?
Brick Wall, First Shutout, Player of the Game and Most Improved can all
work well depending on the game or milestone.
More Hockey Award Ideas
Keep the Award Simple. Make the Reason Matter.
The part players remember isn't how expensive the award was.
It's why they earned it.
Recognize the backcheck. The great pass. The first goal. The big save. The teammate who kept everyone positive.
Make the reason specific, make the moment genuine and give them something that reminds them of it.