FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov pulled off a double never before seen in the NHL, but it was the third element of his day that truly struck a nerve.
Barkov was named winner of the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the league for the third time. He also captured his first King Clancy Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian efforts in the community. Although three other players in league history have won both honors, no one had accomplished it in the same season until now.
But what made the announcement that much more special was that children from the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood came to the Panthers’ facility to present him with his shiny hardware.
“Bringing the kids from Joe DiMaggio to announce it — it was great for sure,” Barkov said. “I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.”
Barkov reflected on arriving in South Florida as an 18 year old and how now, at 29, he’s the father of a 3 1/2-year-old son.
“When I first got here I was just a young kid and the community kind of like accepted me here,” he said. “So at some point in my career it was just a matter of time when I realized I should probably start giving something back.”
That began his longstanding relationship with the pediatric hospital, which supports children with cancer, blood disorders, heart transplants, emergency care and rehabilitation.
Since 2019, Barkov he has been donating $1,600 for every goal scored and $800 for every assist during the regular season and playoffs as part of his #BarkovScores4JoeD initiative. To date, he has donated more than $420,000 to the hospital. His contributions have helped fund a state-of-the-art playroom and facility expansion.
“He’s definitely got a real bond there with the hospital and those kids,” coach Paul Maurice said. “There’s just a connection there. It so fits his personality that it’s done quietly, not on a website every day. It’s not a photo op for Sasha.”
In terms of leadership, forward Sam Bennett said young players joining the Panthers naturally look up to Barkov.
“He just does all the little things right, works so hard,” Bennett said. “And obviously his charitable contributions are unmatched. So yeah, he really is just the perfect human.”
Panthers teammate Sam Reinhart finished second in the Selke voting, marking the first time teammates ever placed 1-2 for the honor.
The only other NHL players to win both awards at any point in their careers were Patrice Bergeron, Ron Francis and Dave Poulin.
Barkov previously won the Selke in the 2020-21 and 2023-24 seasons.
Greer questionable for Game 1
Panthers forward A.J. Greer, who has an undisclosed injury, is the only Panthers player questionable for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton against the Oilers on June 4.
Forwards Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen practiced after coming off ailments, but Maurice said Greer, who is day to day, is the only question mark for the team.
The Panthers held their final practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex and plan to fly to Edmonton on June 3.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov makes history: Selke, King Clancy winner in same year
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
