CALGARY, Alberta (AP) 鈥� Mikael Backlund signed a two-year, $9-million extension with the Calgary Flames and was named captain, the team announced Wednesday.
Backlund would have become an unrestricted free agent next summer without an extension.
The 34-year-old center from Sweden posted a career year in 2022-23 with 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) in 82 games.
鈥淭he reason he鈥檚 still here and he鈥檚 playing at a high level, had the best year of his career last year was because he does everything right, off the ice, on the ice, to take care of himself,鈥� Flames general manager Craig Conroy said.
Backlund has played his entire 908-game NHL career with Calgary and is the longest-tenured skater on the Flames. He made his debut on Jan. 8, 2009.
During that time he played under two longtime influential captains in Jarome Iginla and Mark Giordano. He said their leadership style left an impression.
鈥淛arome and Gio weren鈥檛 the guys that were talking for the full intermission,鈥� Backlund said. 鈥淏ut when there was something needed to be said, they said it.
鈥淓veryone respected them so much, and when they talked everyone was listening and we were quiet. So that鈥檚 something I鈥檓 going to gain here with my teammates.鈥�
Backlund is 21st captain in franchise history and the first player to wear the 鈥淐鈥� for Calgary since Giordano was taken in the 2021 expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken.
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The Associated Press
