Sports gala|Aleksander Barkov was chosen Sportsman of the Year as the first hockey player at the Sports Gala.
Alexander Barkov made Finnish sports history on Thursday.
Barkov, who led the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup victory last season, was the first hockey player to be chosen as Athlete of the Year at the Sports Gala held in the Helsinki Jäähalli.
Florida Panthers assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu told Barkov about the choice, who via video thanked all his teammates, loved ones and others who have supported him along the way.
“A very big honor. I know that no hockey player has been chosen as Sportsman of the Year before. I’m really taken,” Barkov stated in his video greeting.
Barkov thus made it to the list of honors, which includes icons of the sport Jari Kurri this Teemu Selänne never made it.
Barkov’s last season was amazing. He became the first Finnish captain of the NHL’s champion team. In addition, he bagged the NHL’s best defensive forward award.
Aleksander Barkov, chosen as the athlete of the year, greeted the audience of the Sports Gala via video.
The title of coach of the year went to a basketball coach Tuomas Iisalo. IIsalo, currently working as an assistant coach of the NBA club Memphis Grizzlies, was quite superior.
He got no less than 121 first places and a total of 754 votes. The head coach of Pikkuhuahkajie finished second in the voting Mika Lehkosuo with 451 votes.
Mika Lehkosuo picked up the Team of the Year award on behalf of Pikkuuahkajie. Coach of the year
Iisalo commented on his awards via video from the United States.
“Getting to the top requires talent, hard work and luck. I’ve been extremely lucky in terms of the opportunities I’ve had, but especially in terms of the people I’ve met. My biggest thanks goes to my wife Tiina”, said Iisalo.
Sports journalists chose Pikkuhuuhkajat as the team of the year, which made it to the European Championships. The little brats got 528 votes, while the men’s floorball world champion team got 467 votes.
“Huh, 40 players participating in the qualifiers, almost 20 backgrounds. On their behalf, I get to receive this great recognition. Of course, you should be very proud of this yourself,” said the team’s head coach Mika Lehkosuo in his acceptance speech.
Last season, Tuomas IIsalo coached Paris Basketball.
An endurance runner was awarded as the role model of the year at the Sports Gala Mustafa Moses. Muuse uttered heavy words in his speech.
“I dreamed that every child, every adult and young person would feel that they are valuable. Not despite being different, but because of it,” Muuse said and continued:
“I dreamed of a sport that is not only about competition, but about building bridges, supporting fellow human beings and creating hope.”
Kajaani Gymnastics is chosen as the sports club of the year. Executive director Kati Säkkinen picked up the award.
Leo-Pekka Tähti was elected to the Hall of Fame.