

Hockey fans around the NHL are well aware of the Florida Panthers’ attendance numbers on a nightly basis, and it turns out the players are, too.

On Wednesday night Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov took home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”



Aleksander Barkov takes home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for exhibiting the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability pic.twitter.com/zWjMZ3WWuz — TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 20, 2019

Barkov made his way to the podium and started off his acceptance speech in a way no one was expecting, with a shot at the Panthers’ fan base.



Barkov kicking off his speech with a HEATER pic.twitter.com/uBjjJUgXdn — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) June 20, 2019 Did Barkov take a shot at his own team at the NHL Awards? 😂 pic.twitter.com/JbthXc5JWy — TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 20, 2019

It’s not hard to tell that there’s a lack of attendance during every single Florida Panthers home game and Barkov used his quick moment on national television to make a joke about the whole thing.