Mikael Backlund

Mikael Backlund
Backlund with the Flames on March 28, 2014
Born (1989-03-17) 17 March 1989
Västerås, Sweden
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team Calgary Flames
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 24th overall, 2007
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2008–present

Mikael Backlund (born 17 March 1989) is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre. He currently plays for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) and serves as their captain. Outside of the NHL, Backlund has played for Västerås IK of HockeyAllsvenskan.

Backlund is a one-time King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, winning in 2023.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Backlund played three seasons with Västerås IK of HockeyAllsvenskan. He had a successful time with his team and won both the Most Valuable Player and Sven Tumba Awards in 2006.[1]

He was drafted 24th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2007 NHL entry draft. On 16 August 2017, Backlund signed a two-year, $845,833 entry-level contract to join the Colorado Avalanche.[2] On 9 January 2009, Backlund made his NHL debut in a 5–2 win against the New York Islanders.[3]

After the game, the Flames sent him down to play for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Backlund finished the season scoring 12 goals and recording 18 assists for 30 points in 28 regular season games. He helped the Rockets during the playoffs. They defeated the Kamloops Blazers, Tri-City Americans and Vancouver Giants before defeating the Calgary Hitmen four games to two to win the President's Cup. This earned them a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament. They were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires 4-1 in the final game.[4] After his season, he joined the Flames' AHL-affiliate Abbotsford Heat. He played a season with the Heat before being called back up to the Flames. On 28 January 2010, Backlund scored his first NHL goal against Ilya Bryzgalov in a 3–2 shootout loss against the Phoenix Coyotes.[5] On 5 July 2012, Backlund signed to a one-year, $725,000 contract to stay with the Flames.[6]

On 10 July 2013, Backlund signed to a two-year, $3 million contract to stay with the Flames.[7] On 20 June 2015, Backlund signed a three-year, $10.7 million contract to stay with the Flames.[8] On 16 February 2018, Backlund signed a six-year, $32.1 million contract to stay with the Flames.[9] On 27 September 2023, Backlund signed to a two-year, $9 million contract to stay with the Flames. The Flames also named Backlund the 21st captain in Flames franchise history.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Hederspriser i TV-pucken". Swedish Ice Hockey Association (in Swedish). Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Flames sign 2007 draft choice Mikael Backlund". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ↑ "Flames beat Islanders". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Memorial Cup lookback: future NHL greats helped Rockets on gutsy run to 2009 final in Rimouski". Western Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Remembering the first one: NHL goals are always memorable, usually never pretty". Calgary Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Flames sign Mikael Backlund". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ "Flames re-sign Backlund to two-year deal". Sportsnet. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Flames sign Mikael Backlund to three-year deal". Sportsnet. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Flames sign Mikael Backlund". Calgary Flames. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Backlund signs 2-year, $9 million contract with Flames, named captain". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 30, 2026.

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