Nicklas Bäckström

This article is about the Swedish forward. For the Finnish goaltender, see Niklas Bäckström. For the Swedish mixed martial arts fighter, see Niklas Bäckström (fighter).
Nicklas Bäckström

Backstrom playing with Washington in 2016
Born (1987-11-23) 23 November 1987
Valbo, Sweden
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Washington Capitals
Brynäs IF
Dynamo Moscow
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 4th overall, 2006
Washington Capitals
Playing career 2004–present
Website nicklasbackstrom.com

Lars Nicklas Bäckström (Swedish: [ˈnɪkːlas ²bɛkːstrœm]; born 23 November 1987) is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and an alternate captain for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bäckström was selected fourth overall by the Capitals at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, and has since gone on to become Washington's all-time franchise leader in assists.

Playing career

Brynäs IF

After turning 15, Bäckström began his junior career in the 2002–03 season, playing for Brynäs IF of the J20 SuperElit league.[1] After playing parts of three seasons there, in the final of which he had 34 points in 29 games (17 goals and 17 assists), he was called up to play for the club's team in the Elitserien, Sweden's top professional hockey league. In part due to the increased competition brought about by the influx of NHL players into the league (as a result of the 2004–05 NHL lockout), Bäckström was unable to record a point.

In his second season, 2005–06, Bäckström's numbers greatly improved, posting 26 points (10 goals and 16 assists) in 46 games, including a goal in four playoff games. Quickly becoming a first-line centre and a top player on the team, he was named both the Elitserien Rookie of the Year as well as the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year for the first of two times (other notable players to win the latter include Peter Forsberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Niklas Kronwall).[2]

Following his successful campaign, Bäckström was drafted fourth overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but announced on 10 July 2006, that he would wait a year before leaving Sweden to play in the NHL. His selection made him the fourth-highest drafted Swede, after Mats Sundin (first), Daniel Sedin (second) and Henrik Sedin (third). (Victor Hedman, however, was later picked second in 2009, and Gabriel Landeskog and Adam Larsson were the second- and fourth-overall picks, respectively, in 2011.)

In his third and last season with Brynäs, in 2006–07, Bäckström’s development had continued, and he saw improvements in points (12 goals and 28 assists) despite playing in one less game than the previous season. He also improved in post-season play, and was able to record six points (three goals three assists) in seven playoff games.

Washington Capitals

On 21 May 2007, Bäckström signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals to begin playing during the 2007–08 season. His development and impressive play led some, such as HockeysFuture.com, which ranks NHL prospects, to consider him the most talented Swedish prospect in recent history. Drawing comparisons to Peter Forsberg, he was noted primarily for his vision, passing and ability to maintain possession of the puck in traffic.[3] For these reasons, he was expected to be a catalyst on the team's power play, and his defensive prowess and puck movement would make him an equally valuable asset when short-handed. On 5 October 2007, he scored his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by fellow Swede Michael Nylander, against the Atlanta Thrashers. While Bäckström was decent early in his first season, still adjusting to the smaller ice rinks of North America, his season rapidly improved once an injury to centre Michael Nylander promoted him to Washington's first line. Playing alongside Alexander Ovechkin, Bäckström set NHL and team records while helping Ovechkin win the Art Ross Trophy and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

Backstrom with the Capitals in 2009.

Playing on the Capitals' top line, Bäckström would finish his rookie campaign with 69 points (14 goals and 55 assists), with three goals and 22 assists on the power play. For his play, he was named runner-up to the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane for the 2007–08 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the League's top rookie of the season (Kane had 1,087 votes to Bäckström's 872). The Blackhawks' other star rookie, Jonathan Toews, placed third in votes with 647. Despite missing out on the award, Bäckström was named to the All-Rookie Team along with Kane and Toews.[4]

In his second NHL season, 2008–09, Bäckström would go on to lead both the Capitals and all Swedish NHL players with 66 assists, also adding 22 goals, for 88 total points, placing him within the top ten NHL scorers for the year. Bäckström would again prove to be a force in the Stanley Cup playoffs, tallying 15 points in 14 games as Washington eventually fell to the future Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Following the 2009 playoffs, Bäckström was awarded the Viking Award as the top Swedish-born player during the 2008–09 season. He became only the second Capital to ever win the award, following Calle Johansson, who won the award in 1991–92.

At the conclusion of the 2009–10 regular season, Bäckström finished fourth in NHL scoring with 101 points, behind Henrik Sedin (112), Sidney Crosby (109) and teammate Alexander Ovechkin (109). Bäckström scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff hat-trick, including the overtime game-winner, against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2010 playoffs, a series Washington ultimately lost in seven games. On 17 May, shortly after the end of the Capitals' season, Bäckström signed a ten-year, $67 million contract extension with the team.[5]

Backstrom helped lead the Capitals to a Presidents' Trophy winning season in 2015-16.

At the conclusion of the 2010–11 season, Bäckström scored 65 points, his lowest single-season point total in the NHL.

On 17 April 2012, Bäckström received a one-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Rich Peverley.[6]

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Bäckström played for Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). On 18 October 2012, he signed with the Russian club, with whom his linemate Alexander Ovechkin had also signed for, for the duration of the 2012–13 lockout.[7] Bäckström later returned to finish third in the NHL with 40 assists during the shortened 2012–13 season.

During the 2014–15 season, on 13 December 2014, Bäckström scored his first regular season NHL hat-trick in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[8] On 15 March 2015, in a game against the Boston Bruins, he became the Capitals' all-time franchise leader in assists, surpassing both Alexander Ovechkin and Michal Pivoňka after recording two in the game.[9] Bäckström finished the season leading the NHL with 60 assists, including 33 on Ovechkin's League-leading 53 goals; Bäckström also finished the year with 78 points, sixth-best in the NHL.[10] On 27 May, Bäckström had successful arthroscopic hip surgery, with Capitals management expectant of a full recovery prior to the beginning of the 2015–16 season,[11] during which he recorded 20 goals and 50 assists as the Capitals were the best team overall during the regular season, while also played His first All-Star Game.

International play
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
2014 Sochi
World Championships
2006 Riga
World U18 Championships
2005 Plzeň

Bäckström played his first game with Sweden on 6 April 2006, in a game against Norway. He won the World Championship when he represented Sweden in the 2006 World Championship. As of that tournament, he is the youngest Swedish player ever in an Ice Hockey World Championship tournament. Bäckström played the last four games in the World Championship (roster spot held open for Daniel Alfredsson) and was directly appointed to the first line together with idols Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzén.

Bäckström led Sweden in the 2010 Winter Olympics with six points in four games before they were eliminated by Slovakia in the quarterfinals.[12]

In a drug test at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Bäckström's A-sample indicated doping due to an allergy medication containing pseudoephedrine.[13] He was prevented from playing in the final as a result. The B-sample, analyzed after the final, also showed values above the allowed limit.[14] The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) opposed the decision to stop Bäckström from playing in the final.[15] His silver medal was withheld until the International Olympic Committee (IOC) determined whether or not to award it to him.[16] On 14 March 2014, the IOC Disciplinary Commission decided that Bäckström would be awarded the silver medal. The Commission confirmed the provisional suspension that rendered Bäckström ineligible for the final.[17] However, in November 2014, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the IOC decision to award Bäckström his silver medal.[18] This appeal was resolved in January 2015 when Bäckström, the IOC, WADA and the IIHF agreed to a settlement in which he accepted a reprimand but was cleared of attempting to enhance his performance.[19]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2002–03 Brynäs IF J20 121342 20002
2003–04 Brynäs IF J20 2146104 50114
2004–05 Brynäs IF J20 2917173424 —————
2004–05 Brynäs IF SEL 190002 —————
2005–06 Brynäs IF SEL 4610162630 41012
2005–06 Brynäs IF J20 ————— 10002
2006–07 Brynäs IF SEL 4512284046 73366
2007–08 Washington Capitals NHL 8214556924 74262
2008–09 Washington Capitals NHL 8222668846 14312158
2009–10 Washington Capitals NHL 82336810150 75494
2010–11 Washington Capitals NHL 7718476540 90224
2011–12 Washington Capitals NHL 4214304424 1326818
2012–13 Dynamo Moscow KHL 1910152510 —————
2012–13 Washington Capitals NHL 488404820 71230
2013–14 Washington Capitals NHL 8218617954 —————
2014–15 Washington Capitals NHL 8218607840 143582
2015–16 Washington Capitals NHL 7520507036 1229118
NHL totals 652165477642334 8320426246
SHL totals 11022446678 114378

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2005 Sweden WJC U18 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 72354
2006 Sweden WJC 5th 64372
2006 Sweden WC 1st, gold medalist(s) 40000
2007 Sweden WJC 4th 707720
2007 Sweden WC 4th 91564
2008 Sweden WC 4th 93474
2010 Sweden Oly 5th 41560
2012 Sweden WC 6th 20110
2014 Sweden Oly 2nd, silver medalist(s) 50440
Junior totals 206131926
Senior totals 33519248

Awards

Records

Personal life

Bäckström's father Anders is a Swedish hockey player who played his career for Brynäs IF, totaling ten seasons for the club. Nicklas' mother Catrin Bäckström (born in Finland) played handball in the Swedish and Finnish Elite League in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Nicklas' older brother Kristoffer is a retired professional hockey player, who played the second tier of the Swedish league system with Hammarby IF, and in a German league. On 8 October 2013, Bäckström and his girlfriend, Liza Berg, welcomed their first child (a daughter, Haley) into the world. Their son, Vince, was born August 26, 2016.[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Nicklas Backstrom Biography"
  2. ↑ “Nicklas Bäckström” Elite Prospects, Retrieved 11 May 2013
  3. ↑ "Little Swiss butt", Retrieved 11 May 2013
  4. ↑ El-Bashir, Tariq, (12 June 2008) "A.O. Snags Hart, Pearson; Boudreau Wins Adams", Washington Post, 30 April 2010.
  5. ↑ "Washington Capitals' Nicklas Bäckström signs $67 million contract". Associated Press. 17 May 2010.
  6. ↑ http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=628462
  7. ↑ "Nicklas Backstrom signs with Dynamo Moscow". Washington Post. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  8. ↑ Prewitt, Alex (13 December 2014). "Nicklas Backstrom's hat trick leads Capitals to 4-2 win over Tampa Bay Lightning". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  9. ↑ Prewitt, Alex (17 May 2015). "'Boring' Nicklas Backstrom enjoyed another under-the-radar season". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  10. ↑ Traikos, Michael (30 April 2015). "Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom won't be a secret weapon for long if he keeps leading his team to playoff wins". National Post. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Capitals' Backstrom has arthroscopic hip surgery". NHL. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Statistics leaderboard". NBC Sports. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  13. ↑ Williams, Ollie (23 February 2014). "Sochi 2014: Canada beat Sweden to win Olympic ice hockey gold". BBC. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  14. ↑ TT (25 February 2014). "Bäckström får vänta på domen". SVT. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  15. ↑ Ansari, Poyan (23 February 2014). "The medician defends Backstrom - He took what was allowed.". SVT. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  16. ↑ http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/246758521.html
  17. ↑ "IOC Decision - Swedish ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom to receive Sochi silver medal.". IOC. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  18. ↑ TSN.ca Staff (11 November 2014). "Appeal puts Backstrom's silver medal from Sochi Olympics in jeopardy, again". TSN. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Prewitt, Alex (15 January 2015). "Nicklas Backstrom's Olympic doping appeal resolved with reprimand". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  20. ↑ Bob McKenzie (2006). "Top 30 Draft Prospects". TSN.ca. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  21. ↑ Brian Hunter (2008-01-22). "Caps win a shootout from the start". NHL.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  22. ↑ http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2016/08/26/nicklas-backstrom-announces-birth-of-second-child-vince/
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Joe Finley		 Washington Capitals first round draft pick
2006 		Succeeded by
Semyon Varlamov
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