Release from 25.03.2026

Maxim Eliseev named Young Star of the 2025/26 season

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20-year-old Maxim Eliseev has been named the Young Star of the 2025/26 Alps Hockey League season, making history as the award was presented for the first time. The Red Bull Hockey Juniors forward enjoyed an outstanding season, recording an impressive 71 points in 50 games. He collected his final point on Tuesday in the dramatic quarterfinal elimination against Gherdeina, when he forced overtime with a goal 74 seconds before the end of the third period.

In the final vote among all five monthly winners – consisting of fan voting and a vote by the league organization – Eliseev came out on top ahead of Nikša Jurić (KHL Sisak) and Mai Crnkic (Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel).

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With 71 points, Eliseev currently ranks fifth in the Alps Hockey League scoring charts. He tallied 35 goals and 36 assists, and was held pointless in only 12 of his 50 appearances. The 20-year-old recorded three four-point games and added seven more three-point performances.

Although his season came to a dramatic end on Tuesday, Eliseev once again played a key role. In Game 7 of the quarterfinals, the Juniors fell 2–3 in overtime to HC Gherdeina valgardena.it. Eliseev tied the game at 2–2 with just 74 seconds remaining in regulation. However, Gherdeina secured the win in overtime thanks to a goal by Matteo Luisetti in the 77th minute.

For Eliseev, it marked his first season in the Alps Hockey League. He joined the Juniors side last summer from Jokerit’s youth team in Finland.

Final result of the vote for Young Star of the 2025/26 season:
1. Maxim Eliseev | Red Bull Hockey Juniors
2. Nikša Jurić | KHL Sisak
3. Mai Crnkic | Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
4. Viktor Eriksson | Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
5. Renato Talamini | S.G. Cortina Hafro