Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Florida Panthers React to NHL’s Historic Aleksander Barkov Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 1:04 PM ET

When the Florida Panthers drafted center Aleksander Barkov No. 2 overall back in 2013, they envisioned him as the face of their franchise for years to come.

Barkov has more than lived up to those expectations, leading the Panthers to a Stanley Cup championship last year and back to the Final this year while making two NHL All-Star teams and winning two Frank J. Selke Trophies, given annually to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,” and a Lady Byng Trophy along the way, given to “the player who best combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high playing ability.”

Barkov added to his trophy case on Monday when the NHL announced that the Panthers’ 29-year-old captain won his third Selke Trophy as well as his first King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given annually to “the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

Barkov became the first player in NHL history to win both the Selke and King Clancy trophies in the same season, and he’s just the fourth player to win both awards during his career.

The Panthers celebrated Barkov’s notable achievements with a congratulatory social media post.

“Congrats, Cap! Barky won the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy ” the Panthers posted on X.

Congrats, Cap!

Barky won the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy

» https://t.co/2w6vkqXW41 pic.twitter.com/xboLMoLaET
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 2, 2025

Barkov joined an exclusive group that includes Patrice Bergeron, Bob Gainey, Pavel Datsyuk, Jere Lehtinen, and Guy Carbonneau as the only players to win the Selke three or more times. Bergeron, a recently retired Boston Bruins legend, holds the record with six wins and Gainey is second with four wins.

The 6-foot-3 Finn scored 20 goals and 71 points this season, and he led the Panthers with 51 assists and 34 takeaways.

He also ranked fourth in the NHL in faceoff win percentage (56.5%) among centers with at least 1,000 faceoffs. It was the eighth straight season his faceoff percentage was above 50. Barkov also logged four shorthanded points this season, one shy of his career high.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: