The days of Aleksander Barkov being considered unknown or underrated are long gone.

Sure, there are still some so-called hockey experts who make it very clear with their analysis that they haven’t seen what Barkov can do on the ice, but that’s okay.

Overall, Barkov has become widely known as one of, if not the current best two-way hockey player on the planet.

Last June, the captain of the Florida Panthers collected quite a bit of hardware, first becoming the first ever Finnish player to wear the “C” and hoist the Stanley Cup over his head, then a week later being awarded with his second career Frank J. Selke Trophy, given annually “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”

It seems the 29-year-old was just getting started.

He could very well win his second straight Stanley Cup – we’ll find out over the next several weeks – but one thing Barkov has already accomplished this week is becoming just the sixth player in NHL history to become a three-time Selke winner.

Barkov previously won the Selke Trophy in 2020-21 and 2023-24 and becomes just the sixth player in league history to win the Selke three times.

Barkov’s teammate, Sam Reinhart, finished second in Selke voting, and center Anton Lundell also received one fifth place vote.

But wait, there’s more.

The NHL also announced that Barkov had won the 2025 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is 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.”

Before the league made the announcements on Monday, Barkov found out in a wonderful and surprising way.

The longtime partner and donor for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was visited by several youngsters at the Baptist Health IcePlex prior to Florida’s practice.

Since 2019, Barkov has donated $1,600 for every goal he scores and $800 for every assist he dishes out.

He’s raised over $420,00 for the hospital, and he also has donated a suite to every Panthers home game for the hospital to use for its patients and healthcare workers.

Along with a representative from the Hockey Hall of Fame, the kids presented Barkov with both trophies, with his teammates, coaches and Panthers GM Bill Zito there to congratulate him.

It was a great moment for a greater guy.

Barkov now becomes the first player to ever win both awards in the same season.

He joins Patrice Bergeron, Ron Francis and Dave Poulin as the only players who have won both the Selke and the Clancy during their respective careers.

Barkov is also the first Panthers player to ever win the Clancy, and the third Finnish player to win it, joining Saku Koivu and Pekka Rinne.

The Selke Trophy is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

King Clancy Trophy nominees are selected by each NHL team, and the winner is chosen by a selection committee consisting of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former King Clancy winners and winners of the historic NHL Foundation Player Award.

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Photo caption: Jan 25, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. (Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)