Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers Captain, eyes Stanley Cup Threepeat After First Triumph
Aleksander Barkov, the 2013 second-overall pick and captain of the Florida Panthers, initially struggled to find motivation after securing his first Stanley Cup in 2024. The achievement of winning the prestigious trophy is a career highlight for any hockey player, but Barkov admitted to feeling the weight of the accomplishment, which momentarily dimmed his enthusiasm for returning to the grind of training. ‘That was my biggest dream in this game of hockey,’ Barkov reflected in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. ‘So, of course, I got that feeling. When I thought, “OK, it’s time to start training again,” it was really, really hard. Like, it’s just really hard to get up and go somewhere for a run or for a lift or something like that.’
However, the prospect of achieving a historic threepeat has reignited his passion for the sport. The Florida Panthers, having won the Stanley Cup in 2024, now have an unparalleled opportunity to win three consecutive titles—a feat that has only been accomplished by a handful of teams in NHL history. This chance has propelled Barkov to focus on the future, looking forward to the challenges of the upcoming season. ‘Now, I have a better feeling about it. I can’t wait to get going again,’ he said, expressing his renewed determination to continue pushing for excellence.
Barkov’s journey to the Stanley Cup was not without its trials, and the mental and physical demands of the 82-game season and the rigorous postseason were significant. ‘To get that celebration again, to enjoy the season again with the team, go through the ups and downs and write another story and achieve that,’ he said, highlighting the importance of perseverance and teamwork. The captain acknowledged the difficulties faced throughout the year but remains committed to the goals set for the team. ‘We achieved it again. It wasn’t easy at all. Mentally, it was really hard all year, but we did our best, we tried our best, and it was enough this year.
Moreover, the partnership with Celsius, an energy drink that delivers 200 milligrams of caffeine and essential vitamins, has been a crucial element in Barkov’s approach to maintaining peak performance. The drink, which has its headquarters nearby in Boca Raton—close to the Panthers’ home in Sunrise—has become a hit in Barkov’s home country of Finland. ‘That’s how I’m trying to live as an athlete. I’m trying to eat the right way. I’m trying to sleep the right way, recover, practice, train, whatever I do, I’m thinking about becoming a better athlete for the next day, for the next game,’ he explained. ‘So I think Celsius fits that really well, because they have everything I need in one drink. It tastes really good as well, so I don’t have to force it into myself. It keeps me awake when I need it the most, all the vitamins that I need throughout the day are there. So it’s just a total package in one drink.’
Despite the celebratory phase, Barkov is already planning future activities with the Stanley Cup, including sharing it with his neighbors in the early hours of the morning while enjoying a Celsius drink. These moments of personal celebration are balanced by the team’s collective focus on the upcoming season and the pursuit of a historic threepeat. ‘For me, I feel better right now to continue working, to continue getting better,’ Barkov said, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement. ‘Because, well, last year, first time winning, it feels like, “OK, now I’ve done everything I wanted, I dreamed about.” Now, after doing it a second time, it’s the best feeling in hockey. You go through the long season, tough season with your team, and you battle through everything, and then you get to lift the Cup. And for us to have a chance to do it three times in a row, that’s already a big motivation, because not too many teams have done it in such a long history.’
As the Panthers prepare for another challenging season, the team’s determination to achieve a threepeat is a testament to their resilience and the strong leadership of their captain. With Barkov leading the charge, the Panthers are positioned to make history, and the journey begins now with the 82-game season ahead, setting the stage for another fierce playoff run. The captain’s renewed motivation, supported by his personal regimen and the partnership with Celsius, bodes well for the team’s future success, as they look to continue their journey at the top of the NHL.