Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov lacked motivation after first Stanley Cup but now eyes three in a row
"That was my biggest dream in this game of hockey. So, of course, I got that feeling," the 2013 second-overall pick said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "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."
But then, he thought about the "big picture" and remembered that lifting the Stanley Cup is "the best feeling in hockey."
Now, the Panthers have a chance to do something not accomplished since the early 1980s – win three consecutive Stanley Cups, and Barkov already "is thinking about next year."
"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. So that kind of got me going. And 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. But now, I have a better feeling about it. I can't wait to get going again."
Perhaps his Celsius partnership fueled him in the middle of the season. The energy drink's 200 milligrams of caffeine helped Barkov get through those grueling days during the hockey year. For him, it's also a partnership that hits close to him – the headquarters are in nearby Boca Raton (the Panthers play in Sunrise), and he said Celsius is becoming a hit in his 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 said. "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."
Some extra motivation? Maybe the fact that he needs to come up with new ideas on how to celebrate with the Stanley Cup (he said 48 consecutive hours of celebration was his max).
"We get to spend one day individually with the Cup, so that will be a challenge. I did everything I needed to do last year. I showed it to literally everyone I needed to show. So this year, probably taking a little easier and maybe spend more time just me and the Cup," Barkov joked.
One idea, obviously, is to "pour a Celsius into it and just sip on it." He did also bring it to his neighbors' houses in the wee hours of the morning.
But first, it will be another 82-game season, and then needing to win 16 more games in the postseason to lift the best trophy in sports again.
"For me, I feel better right now to continue working, to continue getting better," Barkov said. "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.
"Obviously, we just won, so we'll celebrate this one a little bit, but already thinking about next year, how big of a chance we have to make even bigger history. And that's what already drives me forward."
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mike Trout homers for 1,00th career RBI (19)
Mike Trout drives a two-run home run to center field, picking up his 1,00th career RBI and passing Joe Carter for 62nd on the all-time list
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father during Baseball Hall of Fame speech
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes five new members on Sunday, July 27, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen set to be inducted in Cooperstown, New York. Suzuki becomes the Hall of Fame's first Japanese player – assembling a 19-year MLB career after nine decorated professional seasons in Japan – and was just one vote shy of a unanimous election. Sabathia also got in on the first ballot after winning 261 games as one of the best starting pitchers of the new millennium. Wagner ranks eighth on the all-time saves list with 422, while Allen (1972) and Parker (1978) were MVP award winners. Baseball greats remember Dave Parker: 'More respect for Dave Parker than anybody' More: Here's one way the Cincinnati Reds are honoring Hall of Famer Dave Parker An enormous crowd showed for the festivities with Suzuki a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific and Cooperstown a four-hour drive from Yankee Stadium, where Sabathia pitched 11 seasons. Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father Pirates' legend Dave Parker passed away less than a month away from his induction ceremony, making his son's speech hit that much harder as it happened. Dave Parker II even mentioned that he died while writing his Hall of Fame speech. Parker II finished his speech with a poem written by his father, noting that it was specifically his father's request that it be read during the acceptance speech. The poem was a good conclusion, with Parker posthumously praising himself for his "rocket arm" and willingness to "run any catcher over." The best moment of the poem though was the finale. After mentioning that Cooperstown would be his last stop, Parker wrote, "I didn't lie in my documentary, I told you I wouldn't show [to my acceptance speech]." Considering Parker's recent death, this line hit infinitely harder. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baseball Hall of Fame induction 2025: Dave Parker's son gives speech
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mitchell's 35 points lift Fever over Sky 93-78; Clark and Reese sit out
CHICAGO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points and the Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 93-78 in a marquee matchup on Sunday that was missing stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark missed her fourth-straight game for Indiana with a groin injury and has only played in half of the team's games and Reese was out for her second straight for the Sky with a back issue. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Fever (14-12), who have three double-figure wins over Chicago this season. Makayla Timpson had 14 points off the bench and Aari McDonald added 10. Mitchell had her 100th career 20-point game, second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings, and her ninth 30-point game. She also picked up her 200th career steal and the Fever turned 23 turnovers into 31 points. Rachel Banham had six 3s and 26 points for the Sky (7-18). Kia Nurse added 14 points, Rebecca Allen 13 and Kamilla Cardoso 12 with 12 rebounds. The Fever had a 16 point lead early in the fourth quarter cut to six with less than five minutes to go but Mitchell responded with a 3-pointer and a couple of free throws to end the threat. Indiana closed out the first quarter on an 18-2 run to lead 26-13. Mitchell had 13 points and the Fever had 14 points off nine Chicago turnovers. The lead reached 16 points in the second quarter before the half ended at 51-39. Chicago got off to a quick start in the third quarter, pulling within 56-55 at the midway point on consecutive jumpers by Nurse. Mitchell responded with a 3 and a layup before consecutive baskets by Timpson pushed the lead to 65-55. Lexie Hull's buzzer beater made it 75-61 entering the fourth quarter. ___ AP WNBA:
