Aleksander Barkov becomes first hockey player to win Finland’s Athlete of the Year

….Aleksander Barkov becomes first hockey player to win Finland’s Athlete of the Year…..

Aleksander Barkov, captain of the Florida Panthers, has been honored as Finland’s Athlete of the Year, marking the first time an ice hockey player has received this prestigious award.

This accolade follows Barkov’s historic achievement in June 2024, when he became the first Finnish captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup victory.

Due to his commitments in Florida, Barkov was unable to attend the awards gala in Helsinki. However, he expressed his gratitude through a televised acceptance speech, stating, “This is a really big honour. Great athletes have been selected in the past. I’m really impressed, and I didn’t expect to wake up to this kind of response this morning. Thank you very much. It wouldn’t have happened without my teammates and the support I have received.”

At the ceremony, Barkov’s first coach, Timo Mäkinen, accepted the award on his behalf, expressing his pride in Barkov’s achievements and his role in guiding him during his early years.

This recognition not only highlights Barkov’s exceptional contributions to ice hockey but also underscores the growing prominence of the sport in Finland’s athletic landscape.