Aleksander Barkov’s Remarkable Achievement
In a remarkable achievement, Aleksander Barkov, the captain of the Florida Panthers, has secured the Selke Trophy for the best defensive forward in the NHL for the second consecutive year, marking his third win overall in his 12-year professional career, previously earning the accolade in 2021 and 2024. With this victory, he approaches the all-time record held by the legendary Patrice Bergeron, who has claimed the Selke six times.
Leadership and Community Contributions
In addition to the Selke Trophy, Barkov was also honored with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is given to players who exhibit outstanding leadership both on the ice and in their communities while making significant humanitarian contributions. Barkov has built a legacy of philanthropy through his long-standing support for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, a crucial facility for pediatric care, specializing in conditions such as cancer, heart transplants, and various medical emergencies.
Surprise Visit and Community Connection
During a recent event at the Panthers’ practice facility, Barkov received a surprise visit from young patients of the hospital who presented him with his two new trophies, highlighting the strong connection he maintains with the community.
Voting and Performance Highlights
At the voting for the Selke Trophy, Barkov achieved a commanding lead, appearing on 173 out of 191 ballots cast by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, securing first place on 96 ballots. His teammate, Sam Reinhart, who also had an impressive season and was nominated for the first time, finished second with 29 first-place votes. Interestingly, this marks the first occasion in NHL history that teammates have occupied the top two positions in Selke Trophy voting, and it is noteworthy that it hasn’t happened in any voted NHL award category in over two decades.
Exceptional Season Contributions
Barkov’s exceptional performance this season greatly contributed to the Panthers’ defensive statistics, leading to a top 10 ranking in goals against per game (7th best), shots against per game (5th), and penalty kill efficiency (10th). Additionally, he distinguished himself by ranking fourth among forwards in shot-attempt percentage at 59.3%. Following the top three finalists, Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils and Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights also received recognition in the voting, along with prominent names such as Leon Draisaitl, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and Anze Kopitar, a two-time Selke winner.
