The award is handed out to the player "who has best demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the most recent season." The winner is selected by a panel of media and IIHF representatives.
Sven Andrighetto won the National League title as well as the Champions Hockey League title with the ZSC Lions this season and was part of the silver-medal-winning Swiss team. He was also named MVP of the CHL and was one of the Top 3 players of the Swiss team in this year's World Championship.