Versatile Backlund mastering double duty
Focused on being one of league’s top defensive forwards
His longtime girlfriend was a tad annoyed. His trainer was impressed. Back in Sweden for the off-season, Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund rolled out of bed that day and learned via text message that he had finished fourth in Selke Trophy balloting, further proof that he has blossomed into one of the NHL’s best defensive forwards.
“It was, of course, a good feeling. I was pretty pumped about it,” Backlund said. “Frida got a little upset because I was so happy that morning. She was joking, like, ‘That’s what it takes for you to be more happy in the morning?!?’ ”
Perhaps that’s why the 28-yearold tried to conceal his glee when he arrived at the gym.
“I had a great workout ,” Back lund recalled .“I can remember my coach saying afterward that I was very energized that morning, and I didn’t tell him until after.”
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is the annual tip-of-the-cap to the forward who “best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”
Boston Bruins ace Patrice Bergeron had his name engraved yet again after the 2016-17 campaign, joining Montreal Canadiens legend Bob Gainey as the only four-time winner.
Anaheim Ducks meanie Ryan Kesler, who made life miserable for the Flames’ first-liners during the opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, and Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu also scored invites to the NHL’s awards gala in Las Vegas as Selke Trophy finalists.
When the final tabulation was revealed that night in late June, the hockey world learned that Backlund was next on the list.
Bergeron totalled 1,147 points in a system where members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association rank their top five choices. Kesler was the runner-up with 945 points and then Koivu at 752.
There was a big chunk of separation beyond the front-runners, but Backlund was fourth with 310 points, including a top-three pegging on 41 ballots.
“To be in the same talk as those guys, it was a huge boost for me,” Backlund said as he arrived for training camp this fall. “I enjoy my role and just try to play my game, and it’s exciting that people appreciate you and give you some votes.”
Certainly, the appreciation isn’t limited to those who vote on the NHL’s individual hardware.
Backlund was the centrepiece of the Flames’ best forward unit last season, with Michael Frolik and Matthew Tkachuk on his flanks on what was coined the 3M Line.
While earning headlines and fanfare for his defensive handiwork, Backlund also notched a career-high 22 goals and 53 points.
“He’s strong on pucks. He battles. And with his skating, he’s able to get everywhere. So when you play against him, it’s just a hard night,” said Craig Conroy, a two-time Selke Trophy nominee during his playing days and now an assistant general manager at the Saddledome.
For Backlund, the campaign trail starts against reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers in Wednesday’s season-opener at Rogers Place. That’s enough pressure. “I came close, but still I fell short,” Backlund said of his Selke Trophy candidacy last season.
“It’s something that I strive to become even better and hopefully climb into that top three.”