Ice Kings

As 2021 came to a close, the Florida Panthers celebrated one of their best starts in franchise history. But the players — despite their talent and confidence — know that to make 2022 an equally exciting finish they’ll need one other critical component in play: teamwork.

Center Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov, one of the Panthers’ leading scorers as well as the team captain, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, echo the same sentiment. “Great teammates, great players,” notes Barkov. “It’s been a great journey so far.” 

“Without each one of us,” says Ekblad, “the Florida Panthers would not be where we are today.”

For Huberdeau, Barkov and Ekblad – teammates and friends off the ice — the Panthers is the only NHL team they’ve ever played for. From a young age, all three also knew they had what it takes to not just go professional but become leaders in the sport. Says Barkov, who was born in Tampere, Finland, “I did not have to play long to figure out that this is my game and this is what I like to do. I never thought about it as a job, it’s always been my lifestyle.” Thanks to his impressive performance in the junior league followed by his professional debut on the Finnish Elite team, he was the NHL’s number two draft pick in 2013, where the Panthers quickly claimed him.

Two years prior, Huberdeau, who hails from the Canadian city of Saint- Jérôme, spent his early career as a rising star on the Saint John Sea Dogs before being selected by the Panthers. And in 2014, Ekblad, a young phenom who joined the Ontario Hockey League at 15 — a year earlier than normally permitted after being granted the ultra-rare “exceptional player status” — joined the Panthers at just 18 years old and as the NHL’s number one overall draft pick. “I knew I was coming into a team ripe to win,” Ekblad recalls. “I thought they were doing good things and drafting good players before me. And it was an opportunity to play right away. I was excited about that.”

His first year on the team, Ekblad took home the Calder Trophy, an award given to, per the NHL, “the player selected as most proficient in his first year of competition.” It’s an accolade that was also bestowed on Huberdeau his first year on the team, and in the league, as well. 

Each accustomed to living in colder climates, South Florida took a little getting used to. Not that they’re knocking it. “It’s not a bad transition,” laughs Huberdeau. “I’ll take it any day.” After spending winter vacations driving down to Florida from Montreal with his family, he says it was “so special to get drafted here. I could have gone anywhere and it happened that I landed here. It’s been a nice ride since.” He golfs and plays tennis in the off-season, enjoys boat life, and regularly hosts friends and family from back home. “It’s fun for them to come,” he adds. “There’s always people at my house.” 

“It’s a nice spot to live,” says Barkov, 26, of Boca Raton. “It’s quiet, calm, nice beaches.”

He’s a fan of Mizner Park and frequents “too many restaurants to name just one favorite.” Ekblad, who is 25, says both he and his family eagerly looked forward to the sunshine after he was chosen by the Panthers. Since relocating, he’s become an accomplished fisherman, proudly posting many of his bigger catches on Instagram. It’s not a bad workout, he’s noted, especially for a pro hockey player. “Sometimes when you’ve got a big fish on, the forearms start to hurt a bit,” he told the “Territory Talk” podcast. “It’s a little bit relatable to a hockey stick.” 

Being physically at the top of their game is always a priority. After a morning of training on the ice, Barkov’s workout is far from over.

He’ll move on to the gym, where drills include use of resistance bands, pull-up bars and cable machines to practice shot work, strengthen his core and build muscle, according to The Athletic. When the pandemic temporarily halted the season and closed the rinks, “I was lucky,” says Huberdeau. “I had a gym to myself so I could workout. It was important to move, to keep active, to go outside for walks or runs.” Barkov, too, relied on a home gym as well as a shooting station he built in his garage. 

Now, not only are Barkov and Huberdeau’s physiques primed for the current NHL season, they’re also gearing up for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

Eight years after Sochi, Barkov will represent Finland for a second time. “I am very excited,” he shares. “It is a one-of-a-kind experience to be able to represent your home country at the biggest tournament you can ever take part in. I was lucky to be part of Team Finland in 2014. Those couple of games there, I will never forget and I’m really looking forward to the next one.” There’s even a chance he may face off against Huberdeau, who’s widely expected to represent his native Canada. “If I get the chance, it would be such an honor for me,” he says. “I would give everything to win gold.” 

As far as American sports go, however, all three remain firmly committed to the team they’ve been with from the very beginning.  This past fall, Barkov, who won the 2021 Selke Trophy — an honor awarded by the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the best defensive forward — signed an eight-year contract extension with the Panthers reportedly worth $80 million.

Huberdeau, whose contract will be up this summer, has made it abundantly clear he’s not interested in playing anywhere else. “If I can finish my career here, that’s what I want,” he states. “We’ll see what happens but my goal is to play here. I love this place, I love the team, I love the organization. If I can sign for more years here, I’ll do it.” 

Ekblad was forced to miss the remainder of the 2020-2021 season after suffering a shocking injury during a March 28 game against the Dallas Stars that resulted in a fractured left leg and multiple torn ligaments. Immediately after his collapse, his teammates rushed to his side, along with paramedics. “Overwhelmed by the love and support of my family and teammates, my peers and the Florida Panthers fan base and organization. I appreciate each and every one of you,” he tweeted the next day. “To everyone who has reached out, I see you. Thank you!” After spending the summer rehabbing and recovering, he’s not only returned and playing as fiercely as ever, he’s a strong contender for this season’s James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to “the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position,” according to NHL.com. 

Together, the triumvirate are coming into the new year and the second half of the season feeling unstoppable. “They’re two of the best players in the world,” Ekblad says of Huberdeau and Barkov. “This will be our eighth year together. They’re the reason I was able to succeed as early as I did and continue to succeed.” 

“I’ve been with Hubey since my first year and Eky since my second,” Barkov reaffirms. “We’ve been lucky to be able to see each other develop as players and, as a team, it’s only going to get better.” O