The 2024 year-end awards and rankings are upon us, taking this opportunity to reflect on the year’s most outstanding performances across various domains, including fantasy hockey and cricket. 2024 has been filled with spectacular achievements, and as it draws to an end, fans are gearing up to recognize their favorite stars.
Let’s kick off with fantasy hockey, where traditional powerhouses like Auston Matthews and Leon Draisaitl meet fresh competition from standout players Kirill Kaprizov and Sam Reinhart. Both Kaprizov and Reinhart topped the league with 56 goals each since January 1, 2024. Reinhart's rise is remarkable, transitioning from being drafted mid-rounds to becoming one of the league’s leading goal scorers. His invigorated performance exemplifies how athletes can transcend expectations, earning him tremendous acclaim.
While Reinhart deserves credit, it is Kaprizov who boasts the highest goals-per-game ratio of 0.75, scoring his 56 goals over just 75 games. Alexander Ovechkin, too, showcased significant prowess with 39 goals across 63 games, placing him among the league leaders once again.
On the assists front, Nilita Kucherov and Connor McDavid continue to dominate. Each secured 100 assists during the 2023–24 season, and Kucherov remains top-notch with another impressive performance this season, racking up 35 assists within just 30 games. This leads him to maintain his status as one of the game’s elite playmakers. Following closely is Quinn Hughes, who, as one of the best fantasy defensemen, proved himself invaluable with 74 assists.
Shots taken also revealed some fierce competitors. Nathan MacKinnon led the league with an incredible average of 4.7 shots per game. Matthews followed, boasting 4.54 average shots per game when healthy, which would likely place him higher without the interruptions from injuries. Brady Tkachuk emerged as the complete package, ranking high across multiple categories, including shots.
Looking at physical play, Jeremy Lauzon emerged as the hits leader with 355 registered hits across 68 games, averaging 5.22 hits per game. His closest competition, Kiefer Sherwood, had already made strides this season with 200 hits over just 34 games. While not as recognized, both players represent the essence of grit contributing significantly to their teams.
Although blocked shots may not capture headlines as often, they hold significant value. Players like Moritz Seider and MacKenzie Weegar show how valuable it is to contribute not only through scoring but also through effective defensive plays.
Switching gears to cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) brings us the annual highlights with their esteemed awards recognizing exceptional performances by both male and female cricket players. The ICC Awards celebrate the athletic prowess and achievements of players from around the world every year, and the 2024 nominations have already drawn significant attention.
The spotlight is on nominees such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Kusal Mendis competing for the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year title, alongside other outstanding talents. Familiar faces like Arshdeep Singh lead the ICC Men's T20I category nominations, showing India's dominance on the international stage.
Women’s cricket is equally represented with stars like Smriti Mandhana dazzling this year, being nominated among others, vying for accolades based on their phenomenal contributions. The awards include categories for Both Men's and Women's ODI along with T20I performances, showcasing global talent.
Adding to the cultural buzz, the literary scene of 2024 has reflected strong local interest, particularly as libraries announce top-borrowed titles for the year. The spotlight falls on Trent Dalton's Lola in the Mirror, which emerged as the most popular book across numerous categories, capturing the hearts of readers and instigated vibrant discussions around narratives featuring strong female leads.
With over 525 reservations at one point, Lola in the Mirror exemplified the demand for compelling stories. Other notable entries include Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, which performed exceptionally well last year, and the adult non-fiction genre led by Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life by Anna Funder. The listings also highlight rising interests within the young adult and graphic novels, showcasing trends around youthful themes.
With 2024 coming to its conclusion, it becomes evident how the year has witnessed extraordinary accomplishments across fantasy sports and literature, celebrating athletes and authors alike. It's times like these where fans can reflect on the impressive talent showcased and what lies on the horizon.