Aleksander Barkov Siblings: All About Juri Barkov
Aleksander Barkov PHOTO/Getty Images
Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov is a Finnish professional ice hockey player and captain of the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on September 2, 1995, in Tampere, Finland, to Russian parents, he holds dual Finnish and Russian citizenship but represents Finland internationally.
Barkov is widely regarded as one of the premier two-way centers in the league, known for his exceptional defensive play, offensive skill, leadership, and hockey IQ.
Drafted second overall by the Panthers in 2013, he has become the face of the franchise and one of its all-time greats.
Siblings
Aleksander has one older brother, Juri Barkov, born around 1985.
While Aleksander followed his father’s path into hockey, Juri pursued a professional tennis career as a promising player before injuries forced him to step away from the sport.
The brothers grew up speaking both Finnish and Russian in a sports-oriented household in Tampere.
Career
Barkov was immersed in hockey from a young age, largely influenced by his father, Alexander Barkov Sr., a former professional player and coach.
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He made his Liiga debut with Tappara at just 16 years old in 2011, becoming the youngest player in league history to record a point.
His strong performances in Finland led to his high selection in the 2013 NHL Draft.
He joined the Panthers in 2013 and steadily developed into a star.
Barkov was named team captain in 2021, becoming the first Finnish-born captain in franchise history.
Under his leadership, the Panthers reached new heights, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.
Barkov missed the entire 2025-26 NHL season due to a significant knee injury (torn ACL and MCL) suffered in training camp but returned to action with Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Accolades
Barkov has earned numerous individual honors, including the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward in 2021, 2024, and 2025.
He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in 2019 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions in 2025.
He has been selected to multiple NHL All-Star Games and holds various franchise records with the Panthers, including all-time points leadership.
Internationally, Barkov has represented Finland at multiple World Junior Championships, senior World Championships, and the Olympics, winning bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games.
His greatest team successes came with the Panthers’ Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025, where he captained the team as the first Finnish-born captain to hoist the Cup and the first European to captain multiple championship teams.