Aleksander Barkov gets recognition in Urheilugaalađ
Sasha was just awarded the title of "Athlete of the Year" in the Finnish sports gala! He is the first ever hockey player to receive the title. Tuomo Ruutu announced the win to him and the other Finns of the Panthers. Sasha is very honored but stays humble as always. In his place receiving the trophy at the gala was his first coach Timo Mäkinen. video and article (in finnish)
Lifting the Stanley Cup as the captain of the Panthers won the award of "Most memorable sports moment of the Year" at the gala!
The Finnish sports journalist association also listed the best athletes of the year in 84 different sports. Barkov naturally won the title of the best hockey player of the year.
Before the Finnish Independence day in December, the Knighthood of the Finnish Lion awarded the Knight's medals for dozens of successful and honorable Finns - and one of the recipients on that list was Aleksander Barkov.
And for one more recognition, Barkov has been nominated for "Tamperean of the year" by the local newspaper. He won that title in 2013 - i will update on how this year's vote ends! His old mentor-teammate-bestfriend Ville Nieminen played "stunt double" in his nominee introduction video. Highly recommend watching, it's funny and he sounds incredibly proud of this city. (It's subtitled!)
Below: Athlete of the Year trophy, the Knight's medal, Tamperean of the Year trophy (yes it's a rock. it's an old street paver from the city centre)
