Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will play for Finland at the World Championship after missing the entire NHL season with a torn ACL and MCL, he announced Thursday.
Barkov sustained the knee injury during training camp in September, which also forced him to miss the Olympics.
The 30-year-old said he didn't suffer any setbacks in rehab, and added that he feels better each week, according to team reporter Jameson Olive.
Barkov captained Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025. He last featured at the Worlds in 2016, when Finland lost in the final.
The Panthers missed the playoffs in Barkov's absence after winning consecutive Stanley Cups.
Barkov notched 20 goals and 71 points in 67 games in the 2024-25 campaign. He won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward for the third time.
The World Championship begins May 15 in Switzerland.
