Players

Caps Honor Backstrom for 500 Assists

 (via the Caps)

The Capitals hosted the Philadelphia Flyers in a rare matinee Sunday at Verizon Center, but that wasn’t the only excitement on the ice.  In a pre-game ceremony, the Washington Capitals organization and their fans celebrated another awesome milestone as they honored Nicklas Backstrom for becoming the first player in franchise history to record 500 assists.  The beloved Cap, known as “Backy,” recorded his 500th career assist on Jan. 7 against the Ottawa Senators, earning an assist on T.J. Oshie’s first period goal at Canadian Tire Centre.

The Caps awarded Backstrom with a Golden hockey stick with his milestones engraved on the shaft and a message from the Caps on the stick blade.  He accepted the honor accompanied on the ice by his fiancé, Liza, his daughter, Haley, and his son, Vince, along with Caps president Dick Patrick and Caps owner Ted Leonsis.

Backstrom was drafted by the Caps in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2006 NHL Draft. The 6’1” 213 lb Swedish-born center is the first player in the 2006 draft class to reach the 500-assists and also ranks first among players drafted in 2006 in points.  Since Backstrom entered the NHL in 2007-08, he ranks third in the NHL in assists, and he leads in power-play assists. He also ranks first in the NHL in 40-assist and 50-assist seasons. The 29-year-old is known on the ice for his skill and play-making determination, but off the ice he is admired for his humility and his calm, consistent demeanor.

Congratulations Backy!

Barbara Banks

Barbara Ann Banks is a freelance writer out of Rockville, MD.

Related Articles

Back to top button