Backlund is awarded a silver stick for his 1000th NHL game, he is celebrated in front of Flames fans with his whole team. Photo Credit: @nhlflames on Instagram
Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund played his 1000 NHL game on October 30 against the Utah Hockey Club. Drafted by the Flames in 2007, he’s played in Calgary his whole career.
The Sweden native made his NHL debut on January 8, 2009. He has since scored 202 goals and has 335 assists for a total of 537 points.
Backlund has played alongside many amazing players during his time in Calgary such as Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Jaromír Jágr, Mark Giordano, and Johnny Gaudreau.
He was named captain just before the start of the 2023-24 season after signing a two year contract extension that kicks in this season. Backlund has been with the Flames organization for 17 years now. He is second in number of games played in a Flames jersey, only behind Iginla who has 1219.
Backlund and his family after it was announced he had become the newest captain of the Calgary Flames. Photo Credit: Gavin Young
In the Calgary community, Backlund and his wife Frida have contributed to many charities and organizations. They partner with the organization Parachute for Pets quite often, work with Special Olympics Calgary, and have created a charity that works for a cure of ASL. They have become integral in the Calgary community. In 2023, Backlund won the King Clancy Trophy, which is awarded to a player who shows exemplary leadership qualities and has made humanitarian contributions to the city.
Backlund and his wife Frida with a cheque for the ALS Society of Alberta. Photo credit: The ALS Society of Alberta
“We're so proud to call ourselves Calgarians, it’s our home. It feels really special to do it just with Calgary,” Backlund said during a media scrum.
Backlund was honoured with a special ceremony at the Scotiabank Saddledome prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils. With 30 friends and family members from Sweden in attendance, Backlund was given a silver stick to commemorate his 1000 games with the Flames. His wife Frida and his mother Ann-Mari were given bouquets of flowers while his kids, Tillie and Oliver, were given their own mini silver sticks.
The Flames presented a video celebrating Backlund and his career and legacy. The video featured former Flames and teammates Matthew Tkachuk, Sean Monahan, and current Devils players Dougie Hamilton and Jacob Markström, speaking about Backlund’s career and influence on them as players.
Backlund during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Photo Credit: Erin Hooley
Backlund becomes the fourth active Swedish player in the league to reach the 1000th mark. The 35-year-olds contract ends at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Edited by Giana Robertaccio
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