Martin Fehervary took home some hardware at the Slovak Ice Hockey Association’s (SZĽH) “Hockey Player of the Year 2025” event — a gala evening at Bratislava Castle that annually celebrates the best Slovakian players in the world.

Fehervary, 25, took home the Róbert Švehla Award as the best Slovak defenseman for the third consecutive year, beating out Erik Černák (NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning) and Martin Gernát (KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl). Fehervary had a career year with the Capitals, posting 25 points (5g, 20a) and finishing a plus-18 in 81 games during the 2024-25 season.

“I’m happy for this award, thank you for the votes,” Fehervary said on stage, per Sportnet.sk and a translation by Google Translate. “The guys around me had good seasons, so I’m glad that I received the trophy.”

Later, in a scrum with Slovakian reporters, Fehervary added (per a Katina K. translation), “I was happy to win – it’s always positive to be recognized in your sport. I’m very glad.”

In addition to being the country’s best rearguard, Fehervary took home hardware for being the second-best Slovak hockey player overall. Juraj Slafkovský was named Slovakia’s “Hockey Player of the Year 2025” after notching 51 points (18g, 33a) in 79 games last season.

The Montreal Canadiens forward took home the honors for a third time in his career (2022, 2024, and 2025). Martin Gernát finished third. Slafkovský was also named the best forward.

Others honored during the event included Samuel Hlavaj (best goaltender), Dalibor Dvorsky (best player under 20), Milan Bartovič (best coach), Nela Lopušanová (best female hockey player), and Peter Stano (best referee).

Former Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara was also inducted into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame. The longtime Bruins rearguard became the 39th member of the distinguished hall, joining Avol Siroťák, a long-time SZĽH methodologist and youth coach, in the 2025 class.

“I was pleasantly surprised and extremely honored,” Chara said. “It is a great honor to be in the group of exceptional hockey players and people who are inducted into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame. I accepted it modestly, but I appreciate it very much. I never dreamed that I would one day receive such awards. It reminds me of everything that hockey has given me. My greatest thanks go to my wife and children for their unwavering support. And I also thank all the coaches; everyone has given me something.”

Chara is the second player to suit up for the Capitals to receive the honor, joining Peter Bondra, who was inducted in 2021.