The Philadelphia Flyers forward, who is representing France at the tournament, was named the player of the game after its 5-1 upset win against Finland on Sunday. But he rejected the acknowledgment, and a free watch, instead letting France goalie Florian Hardy accept the honor.

Tweet from @aj_ranger: Great moment as Pierre-��douard Bellemare rejects the player of game award and gives it to goalie Florian Hardy (41 saves). #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/ZgTnilY1Yl

"I didn't actually hear my name," Bellemare said of being announced as the player of the game. "I was clapping for [Hardy], looking at him, then he heard my name. This was not right."

Bellemare had a goal and an assist, which earned him the player of the game for France, but Hardy made 42 saves to help the host nation upset the tournament's defending runner up in a Group B preliminary round game in Paris.

Bellemare tried to push Hardy to accept the prize, but he initially declined. After skating to accept the award, Bellemare then called Hardy to the stage which drew cheers from the team and the crowd at AccorHotels Arena.

"Anybody would've done it that way," Bellemare said. "There was no way I was going to take that prize. He deserved every bit of it and more."

NHL.com correspondent Aaron Vickers contributed to this report