Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena — In the IIHF Continental Cup’s 28-season history, only one team has lifted the plate twice.
The Nottingham Panthers made history on home ice on Saturday [17 January], defeating Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk to reclaim the title they last won in 2017.
Danny Stewart’s squad dominated proceedings and came within two minutes of shutting out the entire competition.
And it should therefore come as no surprise that the Panthers have taken over our Team of the Tournament…
2026 IIHF Continental Cup: Team of the Tournament
Netminder: Vladislav Pestov, Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk
Vladislav Pestov, Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (Image: Panthers Images)
As I noted in my post-final analysis, Torpedo rode their netminder to the final.
Vladislav Pestov starred in the Kazakh side’s only win of the tournament, a 6-2 besting of Herning Blue Fox, making 41 saves on 43 shots to stun Denmark’s entrants.
The 23-year-old made 39 saves on 42 shots in Torpedo’s overtime loss against Ducs d’Angers, earning the point that secured his team’s place in the final.
Pestov deserves further credit for his play in the gold-medal showdown, despite coming out on the wrong side of a 4-2 score.
He made 38 saves and was only beaten when the odds were stacked against him: a rebound on a delayed penalty, a one-timer following a two-on-one break, and a penalty shot.
The Kazakh shot-stopper made a series of unbelievable saves to keep Nottingham’s top-line off the scoresheet, keeping the game close enough for Torpedo to stage a late charge.
Phenomenal, and deservedly named as the IIHF’s Goalie of the Tournament.
Defenceman: Zsombor Garat, Nottingham Panthers
Zsombor Garat, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Zsombor Garat took a heavy collision into the boards in the final, dusted himself down, and skated gingerly to the bench.
The Motorpoint Arena faithful responded by serenading the Hungarian blueliner off the ice.
Garat’s popularity in Nottingham is well-known and his Continental Cup performances justified his cult hero status.
The 28-year-old scored twice, earned a plus-four rating, and played imperious hockey throughout.
Whether it’s putting his body on the line defensively or scoring into an empty net from his blueline, Garat’s impact with the Panthers is unmistakable.
Defenceman: Emil Kristensen, Herning Blue Fox
Emil Kristensen skated away with the IIHF’s Top Defenceman Award for his role in leading Herning Blue Fox to a place on the podium.
The 33-year-old tallied four assists in three games, consolidating his position as the tournament’s leading assist-maker and third-placed point-producer.
Kristensen, who carries DEL, Swedish Hockey League, and Finnish Liiga experience, was a cut above in the bronze medal game, providing the primary assist on Herning’s first goal.
Forward: Didrik Henbrant, Nottingham Panthers
Didrik Henbrant, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Named as the IIHF’s Best Forward, Didrik Henbrant checked out with two goals, two assists, and a tournament-leading plus-five rating.
The Swede continued his fine form on Stewart’s third line, combining with Bryan Lemos (more on him next…) to drive the Panthers to the championship.
Henbrant was at his best in the final, providing the secondary assist on Nottingham’s second goal.
With Torpedo on the back foot, the 27-year-old raced to the goal-line and found Nick Volcan with a perfect drop pass.
Volcan switched the play across the face of goal, allowing Lemos to thunder the puck into a wide open net.
Forward: Bryan Lemos, Nottingham Panthers
Bryan Lemos, Nottingham Pathers (Image: Panthers Images)
Lemos scored twice, provided an assist, and upheld a plus-three rating en route to gold.
But his most impressive contributions came from the face-off circle.
The American led the tournament in win percentage (90.71%), draw difference (+35), and ranked second for total draws won (39, two behind Chase Pearson).
Lemos was freakish in the final, winning 18 of the 17 draws he contested to tilt the ice heavily in Nottingham’s favour.
Excellent two-way centres are hard to come by. And that’s exactly what Lemos is.
Forward: Phillippe Halley, Ducs d’Angers
Phillippe Halley, Ducs d’Angers (Image: Panthers Images)
Finally, a shoutout for Ducs d’Angers centre Phillippe Halley.
It was a tournament to forget for the French side, who ultimately ranked sixth despite beating Torpedo in the group phase, but Halley was a bright spark.
The Canadian ranked fourth in scoring with two goals and an assist, finishing third in the face-off charts (62.75%).
Halley has spent his entire professional career in Ligue Magnus, with 343 points (143 goals, 200 assists) and 320 appearances to his name in the French top flight.
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