Barkov: First Hockey Player Named Sportsman of the Year in Finland

For the first time ever, the Finnish Association of Sports Journalists voted a hockey player as its Sportsman of the Year. It should come as little surprise that this player is Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov.

On Thursday, Barkov was named the 2024 Sportsman of the Year after becoming the first NHL captain from Finland to ever hoist the Stanley Cup.

Over the summer, Barkov brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Tampere, Finland, where the city basically shut down in his honor and a sold-out rally was held for Barkov and his Finnish teammates at Nokia Arena.

Tampere called itself ‘Barkov City’ for the celebration.

Barkov and the Panthers returned to Tampere at the end of October and swept a two-game series from the Dallas Stars in the NHL Global Series held there.

Although Barkov could not attend the annual Sports Gala, he did link up via video to accept the award from South Florida.

Timo Mäkinen, one of Barkov’s first coaches, was on site to accept the award in his place.

Barkov was joined on the video conference by Finnish teammates Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola, and Eetu Luostarinen as well as assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu.

“A really big honor,’’ Barkov said per NHL.com/fi. “In the past, great athletes have been selected. I’m really taken, and I didn’t expect such a morning treat. Thank you very much. It wouldn’t have happened without my teammates and the support I’ve received.’’

Barkov won the award with 1,710 votes (94 first-place) beating out soccer player Lukas Hradecky (66 first-place votes), and tennis player Harri Heliövaara (14).

Hall of Famer Jari Kurri was the closest hockey player to win the award, placing second in 1990.

ON DECK: GAME No. 46

DETROIT RED WINGS at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• National TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5 FM-2; WBZT 1230-AM (West Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); WCZR 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL/Panthers App
• Betting Odds — Panthers Favored: Money Line (-275); Puck line (-1.5, -105); Over/Under 5.5 (-110/-110)
• Last Season: Florida won 3-0-1
• This Season — At Detroit: April 6. At Florida: Thursday; April 10.
• All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 39-19-7, 5 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Anaheim Ducks, 6 p.m.