Matthew Tkachuk will wear "A" as Team USA alternate captain
These days, there are only a few people in Finland who are more recognizable than Aleksander Barkov.
Hockey is arguably the most-popular sport in Finland, and right now, it would seem that Barkov and the sport have become synonymous in the Suomi.
The longtime leader of the Florida Panthers became the first Finnish captain to hoist the Stanley Cup when his team defeated the Edmonton Oilers in an epic seven-game series last June.
He’s one of the best two-way centermen in the world in one of the hardest, toughest and meanest games there is, and yet he has the kind demeanor of a teddy bear.
As such, the Finnish hockey program made an announcement on Thursday morning that made more than a little sense.
Barkov has been named team captain for Finland’s squad that will take part in next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
“It's a huge honor,” Barkov said Thursday, following the announcement. “I'm really thankful for that opportunity to be a captain of the national team, and can't wait to can't wait to get going in the tournament.”
Alternate captains for Finland are Sebastian Aho, Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen.
Barkov will be one of eight Panthers players taking part in 4 Nations, including three of his fellow countrymen.
Heading to 4 Nations from Florida are Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola for Finland, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett for Canada, Gus Forsling for Sweden and Matthew Tkachuk for the United States.
“You spend a lot of time with those guys at the rink every single day, playing for the same team, chasing the same goal, and now you get to play against them,” Barkov said. “It will be a little different, but for sure, a lot of fun, and I think it's really good thing for the Panthers. Well deserved.”
Speaking of Tkachuk, he was named an alternate captain for Team USA on Thursday afternoon.
Wearing the “C” for the Americans is goal-scoring superstar Auston Matthews while Tkachuk’s fellow alternate will be Charlie McAvoy.
The 4 Nations tournament begins Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Montreal and ends the following Thursday in Boston.
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