Mikael Backlund

Mikael Backlund has earned a reputation as a reliable two-way centre with substantial defensive responsibilityArticle in SVT SportRead the sourceArticle in HockeynewsRead the sourceArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceClose. Mikael Backlund’s Swedish hockey background began at Västerås IK, his first clubArticle in Svenska IshockeyförbundetRead the sourceClose. In a 2015 interview with Calgary JournalArticle in Calgary JournalRead the sourceClose, he called Västerås his hometown.

In KelownaArticle in SportsnetRead the sourceClose, Backlund played under coach Ryan Huska, while teammate Cody Almond helped him settle in, Sportsnet reported in 2009. Backlund described the travel and number of games as things he needed to get used toArticle in SportsnetRead the sourceClose. Almond also described how Backlund learned to compete around the crease on the smaller ice surfaceArticle in SportsnetRead the sourceClose.

When CalgaryArticle in Calgary Flames FoundationRead the sourceClose suffered flooding in June 2013, Backlund organized fundraising for relief efforts before leaving for Sweden, according to the Flames Foundation’s later account for the 2016/17 season. The foundation also described his participation in Ride for Hope in Sweden, a cycling fundraiser supporting childhood cancer researchArticle in Calgary Flames FoundationRead the sourceClose.

His support for Kids Cancer CareArticle in Kids Cancer CareRead the sourceClose also took a practical form in the stands. In FebruaryArticle in Kids Cancer CareRead the sourceClose 2017, the organization said that Backlund had chosen to support it, invited families to a game each year and helped throughout the year.