Kapteeni Barkov: Sasha Will Captain Finland at 4 Nations Face-Off

Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov will wear the ‘C’ next month for Finland at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Seven months after becoming the first Finnish captain to ever hoist the Stanley Cup — and a few weeks since being the first hockey player ever named Finland’s Sportsman of the Year — the honor came as no surprise.

But it is an honor nonetheless.

Barkov, 29, has been a part of numerous Finnish national teams over the years including at the 2014 Olympics while a rookie with the Panthers.

He is expected to captain Team Finland at the Winter Games next year in Italy as well.

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“It is a huge honor,” Barkov said on Thursday. “I never really dreamed about that, but, it’s a huge honor. I’m really thankful for the opportunity to be a captain of the national team. I can’t wait to get going in the tournament.”

Mikael Granlund of the San Jose Sharks, and Carolina’s Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho will be the alternate captains for Finland.

Aside from Barkov, three other Florida players will represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off: Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, and Niko Mikkola.

“It’s going to be like playing for the Panthers in the middle of a tournament,” Mikkola said on Wednesday. “It may feel a little strange, but it will be nice.”

Added Barkov: “We are excited and have been talking about this tournament for a long time. Now, it’s here in a couple weeks. We’re really excited about the opportunity to play against the best players in the world and, at the same time, excited to be able to play with each other as a Team Finland. We know each other really well. It’s a small country. … We have a good group of guys and really everyone wants to win.’’

A total of eight Florida players will play at the tournament which runs from Feb. 12-20 and will be held in Montreal and Boston.

Matthew Tkachuk, who was born in Scottsdale but raised in St. Louis, will wear a letter for Team USA. Toronto’s Auston Matthews, also from Scottsdale, will captain Team USA.

Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett will play for Team Canada, and Gus Forsling will represent Sweden.

Florida members who will also participate include Team USA assistant GM Bill Zito and equipment manager Teddy Richards, Sweden assistant GM Patric Hornqvist, and Finland assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu.

ON DECK: GAME No. 53

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS at FLORIDA PANTHERS 

• When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• National TV: ABC
• National Streaming: ESPN+/Hulu
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Last Season: Tied 1-1
• This Season (Blackhawks Lead 1-0) — At Florida: Saturday. At Chicago: Blackhawks 3, Panthers 1 (Nov. 21).
• All-time Regular Season Series: Blackhawks lead 30-19-4, 3 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday vs. New York Islanders, 6 (Local TV)