The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) has announced the three finalists for the Golden Stick award, given to the most valuable player of the regular season. The nominees are Metallurg Magnitogorsk forward Vladimir Tkachev, Avangard Omsk captain Damir Sharipzyanov, and Dinamo Minsk forward Sam Anas. 
The winner will be determined by a vote among head coaches across the league.
Tkachev played 66 games, recording 71 points (13 goals and 58 assists). He led his team in scoring and assists, finishing first in the league in assists and fourth in overall scoring.
Sharipzyanov notched 67 points (23 goals and 44 assists) in 66 games, breaking the KHL record for most points by a defenseman in a single regular season—previously held by Canadian Chris Lee (65 points in 2016-17). The Avangard captain also ranked fifth in league scoring, and led all defensemen in both points and goals.
Anas topped the regular-season scoring chart with 89 points (32 goals and 57 assists) in 67 games. He matched Nikita Gusev’s 2023-24 scoring record and became the highest-scoring import in a single KHL regular season, while also placing second in both goals and assists.
The award ceremony will take place on May 28 at the KHL season closing event. Last year’s winner was Canadian forward Joshua Leivo.
Previous Golden Stick recipients include Alexander Radulov and Sergei Mozyakin (four times each), Vadim Shipachyov, Dmitrij Jaskin, Nikita Gusev (twice each), and Danis Zaripov.