As Aleksander Barkov gets set to battle for the ultimate team trophy, he’s collected some hardware of his own.
The Florida Panthers captain won both the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, the NHL announced on Monday.
Barkov is a now a three-time winner of the Selke, which is handed to the top defensive forward in the NHL. Teammate Sam Reinhart and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli were the other nominees.
Meanwhile, Barkov also claimed his first Clancy trophy, given “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Barkov was surprised with both awards by children from the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., where he has donated $1,600 for every goal scored and $800 for every assist since 2019.
“During my first visit, I didn’t speak English too well. I saw everything going on — how incredible the healthcare workers are, and how special the kids are – but I couldn’t really say anything. Now, I’ve gotten more comfortable with talking. I get to connect with the staff, the kids, and their families. I do what I can to give these kids a reason to smile,” Barkov, who brought the Stanley Cup there last summer, told NHL.com.
The 29-year-old Finn led his team to a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final after posting 20 goals and 51 assists in 71 regular-season games.
A regular on both special teams, Barkov was plus-one on the season while recording four short-handed points.
He also claimed the Selke last year in addition to 2021, becoming the fourth player this century to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
Barkov received 96 first-place votes for the Selke, and Reinhart’s second-place finish (including 29 first-place votes) made them the first teammates to finish 1-2 for the award.
Florida placed top-10 league-wide in goals against per game (seventh, 2.72), penalty killing percentage (10th, 80.7 per cent) and shots against per game (fifth, 26.2).
Cirelli also earned 29 first-place votes in his third-place finish. New Jersey’s Nico Hischier and Vegas’s Jack Eichel rounded out the top five.
As a prize for winning the Clancy, the NHL will donate $25,000 to a charity of Barkov’s choice.
Barkov and the Florida Panthers will once again face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 slated for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.
Live coverage will be available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.