Mikael Backlund values loyalty.
And it’s certainly not lost on Backlund that, in the oftentimes unpredictable business of professional puck, he’s only ever worn one NHL logo.
On Tuesday, Backlund logged his 949th career game on behalf of the Calgary Flames, the second-highest total in franchise history.
“It’s very special,” Backlund, 34, beamed after morning skate at the Saddledome. “When I made the decision to stay here, I thought of my grandpa, I thought of my dad, both of them working for the same company for such a long time and both of them being loyal to their companies. I just felt that was kind of in the family, and I thought it was probably meant to be that way for me, too.
“So I definitely reflected on that. And the same goes … I never brought this up, but my friend who passed away, he played for the same sports team his whole career and if he was still alive, he’d still be playing on that team, too. So a lot of connections that way, too.”
Backlund’s grandfather and gone-far-too-soon friend must have been smiling down Tuesday.
And it turned out to be terrific timing for his proud papa, Jan. With the Flames about to embark on their dad’s trip, he arrived from Sweden to see his son celebrate his latest career milestone during a clash with the Ottawa Senators.
Backlund will briefly share second on Calgary’s all-time games played list with Mark Giordano, his former teammate and “mentor” and his predecessor as captain.