When you hear his name, what immediately comes to mind? Two Stanley Cups, three Frank J. Selke Trophies, a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, and a King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Now, Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov can add a key to Boca Raton to his collection.
Boca Raton Mayor Andy Thomson presented the Florida Panthers captain with the honor on Oct. 8 at Boca Ice. The ceremony recognized Barkov's connection to the city, where he has lived since joining the Panthers in 2013, and his continued support for the South Florida community.
Referencing the famous line from “The Wizard of Oz,” Barkov told attendees: “There’s no place like Boca Raton.”
He chose Boca while looking for an apartment with his family after moving from Tampere, Finland. What started as a place to live became a permanent home, and his son now skates at Boca Ice. The Barkovs' legacy continues....
What makes Boca Raton Barkov’s kind of city?
If Anton Lundell represents Visit Lauderdale as an official ambassador and Bill Zito has a key to Broward County, Sasha Barkov represents Boca Raton.
Given what the city offers, his choice makes sense. Boca combines two of his favorite sports: hockey and tennis. Don’t forget the beaches, either.
It is a world-famous South Florida tennis hub, with many public courts, private country clubs, and training academies that attract professional players. For the 31-year-old forward, who enjoys playing tennis, that means plenty of opportunities to pick up a racket close to home.
His interest goes beyond an occasional game in the park. Barkov regularly attends tournaments including Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Miami Open, and the Delray Beach Open. He also co-owns the Palm Beach Royals, a professional franchise in Major League Pickleball.
Then there is hockey. Boca Raton has the Boca Ice & Fine Arts Center, a 73,000-square-foot indoor ice sports and entertainment facility that houses the FLA Kings Hockey organization. It also has another hockey-tennis connection: tennis star Victoria Azarenka’s son plays there.
Now Barkov’s son is learning to skate on that ice, too. For the Panthers captain, hockey in Boca has become part of family life.
A drive worth making
Living in Boca means Barkov has to commute more.
The city sits about 16 to 20 miles from the Panthers’ practice facility, Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. Moreover, Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise is about 26 to 28 miles away. So, on game nights, the captain spends at least 35-40 minutes driving to the arena without traffic.
Those trips have not persuaded him to move closer. Boca gives him tennis, hockey, beaches, and a place to unwind between home games and road trips.
His connection goes beyond an address
Barkov has also made giving back a major part of his life in South Florida.
Through his #BarkovScores4JoeD campaign, he has contributed more than $550,000 to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital by 2026. Earlier this year, he made an additional seven-figure donation to help launch the Barkov Sports Medicine Program.
His support connects his hockey success with opportunities to help children and families in the community. The key to Boca Raton adds to the recognition from the place he calls home.
Barkov on his injury
Barkov also addressed his injury, expressing confidence about returning while acknowledging the frustration of another setback.
“I’m very confident I’ll be back soon, as soon as possible, and obviously it’s not the thing you want to have, especially after what I went through last year, but it is what it is,” he said.
“I’m trying to stay positive, and the team is doing really well. It was a good road trip, so I’m really, really happy."
In Boca Raton, Barky already has the family life, sports community, and beaches that have kept him there since 2013. Now he has the key to the city, too.
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