![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland forward Aleksander Barkov (16) skates against Team USA in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_152,w_4000,h_2250/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/102/01kv3y2qyxwxyfkat11a.jpg "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland forward Aleksander Barkov (16) skates against Team USA in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
On Sunday, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced the winners of two of their most prestigious awards, the Kalen’s Cup and the Presidents’ Trophy. Fresh off helping Finland win the World Championship, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was this year’s recipient of the Presidents’ Trophy.
That’s our captain 🫡 https://t.co/lnx7lXYITE
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 13, 2026
The two-time Stanley Cup champion is arguably one of the greatest Finnish players of all time. As of 2026, he is just an Olympic gold medal shy of joining the exclusive Triple Gold Club, having captured his first World Championship on May 31.
As Finland’s captain, Barkov returned to play at this year’s tournament after missing out on the entirety of the 2025-26 season after tearing his ACL and MCL in training camp. He collected three goals and 11 points in 10 games, earning All-Star Team honors. The two-time NHL All-Star last represented Finland at the 4 Nations in February 2025, scoring a goal in three games.
In addition to a trophy case that includes three Frank J. Selke Trophies, a Lady Byng Trophy, and a King Clancy Trophy from his NHL success, Barkov now has three international medals, including a gold (2026) and a silver (2016) from the World Championships, and an Olympic bronze from 2014.
In 2013, at just 18, Barkov was named the Finnish Youth Athlete of the Year, helping Tappara to a silver medal in the Liiga final. Since 2020, he has been the franchise owner of Tappara, the team he once played for.
Thanks to 286 goals, 496 assists, and 782 points through 804 NHL games, all with the Panthers, he is the franchise’s leader in all four categories. Considering Barkov is only 30, there’s a chance that he becomes the first player to reach 1,000 in all four categories, further cementing his place as the greatest player ever to wear a Panthers sweater.
Regarding his place among the best Finnish players in NHL history, Barkov is still climbing the charts, but already ranks in the top six in every key statistical category, behind a couple of Hall of Famers, including Teemu Selänne and Jari Kurri. Interestingly, the top three highest scoring Finnish players, Selänne (1,457), Kurri (1,398), and Saku Koivu (832), are all previous winners of the Presidents’ Trophy.
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