Lopušanová, who turned 15 on February 26, received more than 40 per cent of the vote by National Olympic Committee delegates here at the 43rd European Olympic Committees (EOC) Seminar.

She was presented with her award by the European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos at a Gala Dinner.

Second place went to Ukraine biathlete Oleksandra Merkushyna after a breakthrough season on the international circuit, with Britain’s 16-year-old world champion snowboarder Mia Brookes placing third, Italian ski mountaineer Erik Canovi fourth and Belgian figure skater Nina Pinzarrone fifth.

The award is recognition of a hugely successful season for the Slovakian.

Lopušanová won player of the tournament for her outstanding performances for Slovakia’s silver medal-winning team at this year's Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy.

She went on to be named the Most Valuable Player at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Championships in Switzerland after leading the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 12 points as Slovakia finished fourth. 

Despite her age Lopušanová  is already an established player in the top flight of women’s ice hockey in Slovakia.

Capralos praised Lopušanová for her spectacular achievements and paid tribute to the other four finalists for their performances during the 2022-2023 winter sport season.

"Congratulations to Nela for winning this prestigious prize, voted for by the 48 European National Olympic Committees in attendance at the 43rd Seminar,” Capralos said.

"Your performances over the past year have earned you this award and it is clear you have a bright future ahead of you.

"All five finalists should be very proud of their achievements and I am sure that we will see them excel in their respective sports over the next decade and more."

Lopušanová said: "It is an honour just to have been shortlisted for the award and to be here in Paris, but to win is an incredible feeling and I am so proud.”

Slovak Olympic Committee secretary general Jozef Liba added: "It is always great for an NOC to have such a young talented athlete who can be a future star.

"Last year we had another ice hockey player shortlisted and he went on to be drafted to the NHL.

"We want to wish Nela all the best as she fulfils her dreams to become the best player she can and being just 15 she has so much in front of her."

Earlier this year, it was announced Lopušanová will begin attending Bishop Kerney High School in Irondequoit in New York and play with the Bishop Kearney Selects women's under-19 ice hockey team from August 2023.

In addition to the Piotr Nurowski Prize trophy, Lopušanová takes home a €15,000 (£13,000/$16,500) training scholarship, with runner-up Merkushyna receiving  €8,000 (£7,000/$8,750) and €5,000 (£4,500/$5,500) going to third-place finisher Brookes.

Fourth and fifth-placed Canovi and Pinzarrone each received €3,000 (£2,500/$3,300).

The EOC Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best European Young Athlete was created in 2011 in memory of Piotr Nurowski, the former President of the Polish Olympic Committee.

He died at the age of 64 in Smolensk, in Russia in the 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash.

The annual prize is awarded to up-and-coming young athletes, who have showcased not only outstanding sporting achievements but also exceptional conduct on and off the field of play.