Nicklas Bäckström facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nicklas Bäckström
Bäckström with the Washington Capitals in February 2022
Born	(1987-11-23) 23 November 1987 (age 37) Valbo, Sweden
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
SHL team Former teams	Brynäs IF Washington Capitals Dynamo Moscow
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	4th overall, 2006 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2004–present

Nicklas Bäckström (born 23 November 1987) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Bäckström was picked fourth overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2006 NHL entry draft. He played for the NHL team from 2007 until 2023.

Bäckström is known for being a great playmaker and passer. He is one of the best at setting up goals for his teammates. From the 2013–14 season, he had six seasons in a row with 50 or more assists. This is a rare achievement in the league. He is the Washington Capitals' all-time leader in assists. He is also second in total points for the team, right behind his teammate Alexander Ovechkin. Bäckström helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018. He reached 1,000 career points on March 9, 2022.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Nicklas Bäckström grew up in Valbo, Sweden. His father, Anders, was also a professional ice hockey player. He won a championship with Brynäs before Nicklas was born. Nicklas's mother played handball in Finland and Sweden.

Nicklas started skating very early, at just two years old. His father said he could skate on his own by age three. The ice rink in Valbo where he learned to play is now called Nickback Arena. As a young player, Bäckström focused on thinking smart on the ice. He said, "I'm not a fast skater, but I always wanted to be a smart player."

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Sweden

Bäckström began his junior hockey career in the 2002–03 season. He played for Brynäs IF in the J20 SuperElit league. After three seasons, he moved up to play for Brynäs in the Elitserien, Sweden's top league.

In the 2005–06 season, Bäckström played much better. He scored 26 points (10 goals and 16 assists) in 46 games. He quickly became a top player for his team. He was named the Elitserien Rookie of the Year. He also won the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year award twice.

After this successful season, the Washington Capitals drafted Bäckström fourth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was one of the highest-drafted Swedish players at that time. He decided to play one more year in Sweden before joining the NHL. In his last season with Brynäs, 2006–07, he continued to improve. He scored 40 points (12 goals and 28 assists).

Lindsay Czarniak interviews Bäckström in May 2007, when he signed with the Capitals.

Joining the Washington Capitals

On May 21, 2007, Bäckström signed a three-year contract with the Capitals. He started playing in the 2007–08 season. Many experts thought he was a very talented young player. They praised his vision, passing, and ability to keep the puck. He was expected to be a key player for the team.

On October 5, 2007, he got his first NHL point. It was an assist on a goal by Michael Nylander. Bäckström played even better when he moved to Washington's first line with Alexander Ovechkin. He set new team records for rookies. He helped Ovechkin win scoring awards.

Bäckström finished his first season with 69 points (14 goals and 55 assists). He was a runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the best rookie. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Bäckström with the Capitals in January 2009.

In his second season, 2008–09, Bäckström led the Capitals with 66 assists. He also scored 22 goals, for 88 total points. He was among the top ten scorers in the NHL. He continued to play well in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored 15 points in 14 games. After the 2009 playoffs, he won the Viking Award. This award goes to the best Swedish-born player in the NHL.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Bäckström was fourth in NHL scoring with 101 points. He scored his first career playoff hat-trick against the Montreal Canadiens. On May 17, 2010, Bäckström signed a ten-year contract extension with the Capitals.

Winning the Stanley Cup

Bäckström continued to be a key player for the Capitals. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he played for Dynamo Moscow in Russia. He played alongside Alexander Ovechkin there. He later returned to the Capitals and finished third in the NHL with 40 assists in the shortened 2012–13 season.

Bäckström in October 2012. He played with Dynamo Moscow during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

On December 13, 2014, Bäckström scored his first regular season NHL hat-trick. On March 15, 2015, he became the Capitals' all-time leader in assists. He finished the 2014–15 season leading the NHL with 60 assists. He was also selected for his first All-Star Game in the 2015–16.

Bäckström warming up with the Capitals in April 2016.

In the 2017–18 season, Bäckström helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup. He had 50 assists during the regular season. In the 2018 playoffs, he had 10 assists, even though he was playing with a hand injury. The Capitals won the Stanley Cup, beating the Vegas Golden Knights.

Later Years and Return to Sweden

Bäckström setting up for a shot in October 2018.

On October 23, 2018, Bäckström reached 600 career assists. He became the 87th player in NHL history to do so. On November 26, he moved to second place on the Capitals' all-time points list. On November 30, he scored his second regular season hat-trick.

Bäckström ended the 2010s decade with the most assists in the NHL (512 assists from 2010 to 2019). He also had the seventh most points (700 points) in that decade. On January 14, 2020, he signed a new five-year contract with the Capitals.

On March 5, 2021, Bäckström reached 700 career assists. He was only the third active NHL player to reach this milestone. On March 9, 2022, he scored his 1,000th career point. He was the second player in Capitals history to reach this, after Ovechkin.

In June 2022, Bäckström had hip surgery. He returned to play in January 2023. However, his hip continued to bother him. Before the 2023-24 season, he decided to step away from playing. He remained on the injured reserve list for the rest of his contract with the Capitals.

In the spring and summer of 2025, there was talk that Bäckström would play hockey again in Sweden. On July 28, 2025, Brynäs IF announced that Bäckström had signed a contract with them. This means he has returned to the team where he started his career.

International Play

Bäckström with the Swedish men's national hockey team during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Silver	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2006 Riga
Gold	2017 Germany/France
World U18 Championships
Bronze	2005 Plzeň

Bäckström first played for the Swedish national team on April 6, 2006. He won a gold medal at the 2006 World Championship. He was the youngest Swedish player ever in that tournament.

He led Sweden in points at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Bäckström was not allowed to play in the final game. This was because an allergy medicine he took showed a high level of a certain substance. His silver medal was held back for a while. However, on March 14, 2014, he was awarded the silver medal. Later, in January 2015, it was agreed that he would receive a warning but was cleared of trying to cheat.

Personal Life

Nicklas Bäckström's father, Anders, played hockey for Brynäs IF. His mother, Catrin Bäckström, played handball. His older brother, Kristoffer, also played professional hockey.

Nicklas is married to Liza Berg. They have three children, two daughters and a son. The family lives in Arlington, Virginia, during the hockey season. Bäckström is a big fan of soccer and supports Arsenal F.C..

Nicklas Bäckström is sometimes confused with another NHL player, former goalie Niklas Bäckström. Their names are very similar, but they are not related. Nicklas is from Sweden, and Niklas is from Finland.

Career Achievements

• Bäckström received the Honorary Ambassador Award at the Swedish Embassy on November 28, 2018. This award is given to people who are good role models for young people. Queen Silvia of Sweden was there for the event.

Records and Milestones

• Youngest Swedish player ever in the World Championship (18 years and 6 months).
• First NHL rookie to get four assists in two games in a row.
• Most assists in a season by a rookie for the Washington Capitals (56 assists) in the 2007–08 season.
• All-time leader in assists for the Washington Capitals franchise with 762.

Images for kids

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  Bäckström playing for Sweden in the 2010 Winter Olympics.