Aleksander Barkov secures second Selke Trophy of his career

Florida Panthers’ captain, Aleksander Barkov, clinched his second Selke Trophy in four seasons, reaffirming his status as the NHL’s premier defensive forward.

Barkov, who previously won the award for the 2020-21 season and finished third the following year, dominated the voting once again, securing 165 of 194 first-place votes and amassing a total of 1,817 voting points. Remarkably, he appeared on nearly every Professional Hockey Writers Association ballot, with just two exceptions.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ center, Jordan Staal, secured the second position with 539 points, closely followed by Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews with 514 points.

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Aleksander Barkov is the 2023-24 recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, a runaway winner with 1,817 voting points. This is Barkov's second Selke win, following 2020-21 when he became the first @FlaPanthers player to claim the honor. #NHLAwards #NHLStats: https://t.co/aRBEToZqLa pic.twitter.com/Q0MXUM3MLq
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 19, 2024

During the 2023-24 season, Barkov showcased his defensive prowess by winning 57.3% of faceoffs and leading the Panthers in takeaways with 61. Additionally, he demonstrated his commitment to defensive play by blocking 50 shots, ranking fourth among Panthers forwards. Offensively, Barkov contributed significantly, tallying 80 points (23 goals, 57 assists) in 73 games.

Barkov’s influence extended beyond individual achievements, as he played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ defensive solidity, contributing to their league-leading defensive record alongside the Winnipeg Jets, with just 198 goals conceded during the regular season.

The Panthers’ success continued into the playoffs, with Barkov guiding them to a second consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearance following a thrilling 2-1 Game 6 victory over the Boston Bruins. Looking ahead to the next challenge against the Rangers in Game One, Barkov expressed his excitement about the team’s prospects.

“While we drew upon last year’s experiences, this season presents new opportunities,” Barkov remarked in an interview with Sportsnet after Friday’s triumph. “With new additions to the team, we are forging a fresh path filled with excitement. We are eager to embrace this opportunity once again and are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”