Hockey fans are ripping the KHL apart for extremely controversial Rookie of the Year award decision

BarDown Staff

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Even if you didn't follow along with the KHL this season, chances are you heard the name Eeli Tolvanen more than a few times.

The 19-year-old Predators' first-round pick in 2017 lit the KHL up during his rookie season with 36 points (19 goals) in 49 games and another 7 points (6 goals) in 11 playoff games for Jokerit.

On Wednesday, though, Tolvanen was involved in a controversial decision as he somehow didn't win the Rookie of the Year award for the season.

Rookie of the year award goes to 18-year-old forward Vitaly Kravtsov from Traktor. #KHLAwards pic.twitter.com/KZpB4vjEpz
— KHL (@khl_eng) May 23, 2018

Vitali Kravtsov recored 7 points in 35 games during the regular season and 11 points in 16 playoff games and somehow won the Rookie of the Year award.

Tolvanen had more goals in the regular season than Kravtsov had points in the regular season and playoffs combined, yet he didn't win the award and the hockey world wasn't happy with the decision for the award.

tolvanen robbed
— xDsupreme ghettoxD (@suprremeghetto) May 23, 2018

What a joke
— Tuomas Taalikka (@Tumetaalikka) May 23, 2018

And this is why people think the league is rigged.
— Daniel Mitchell (@tdanielmitchell) May 23, 2018

LOL !

Tolvanen got robbed.
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 23, 2018

pic.twitter.com/GNGyYlfRjj
— Henri (@henkd_) May 23, 2018

35gp, 7 points and you're telling us there wasn't anybody better than that? Okay.. pic.twitter.com/rzWnoSsug9
— KiHo (@TheKiHo89) May 23, 2018

Why is this not Eeli Tolvanen??
— Peter (@GOATBuchnevich) May 23, 2018

Eeli Tolvanen was robbed of the rookie of the year award.
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) May 23, 2018

Look I get it, Kravtsov performed in his draft year but.. but you gotta be drunk not to give Tolvanen the Rookie of the year.
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) May 23, 2018

Eeli Tolvanen on being snubbed of rookie of the year by the KHL:

"THAT'S IT. I'm Finnished with that league.. haha Finn."

He's incredibly upset.
— NSH Housecats (@NSHHousecats) May 23, 2018

Eeli Tolvanen was not named KHL Rookie of the Year today. He has one more chance for a recognition on June 12 at the @EHCAlliance European Hockey Awards. https://t.co/gVtgWLWNst
— EuropeanHockeyClubs (@EHCAlliance) May 23, 2018

Eeli Tolvanen losing KHL rookie of the year to Vitali Kravtsov like pic.twitter.com/dR0ltJMRu6
— Cameron (@AthanasiouLater) May 23, 2018

This kid had 4G & 3A in 35 games played. So it’s completely clear why he is the Rookie of the Year.

After all, Tolvanen is 4 months younger and had a measly 19G & 17A in 49 games. It’s not like that’s record setting or anything...

Oh wait...it is. https://t.co/NAY6qqXNQ5
— Katherine T. (@i24predsfan) May 23, 2018

The outrage is warranted, but the problem with the outrage is that Tolvanen was never eligible for the award in the first place, as per Reddit User LocksTheFox: