Nick Backstrom always has been a shining example of an unselfish leader who is respected in the locker room by teammates and coaches. I feel extremely fortunate and proud that Nick is a member of the Washington Capitals, and the No. 19 jerseys worn in our community as well as in Sweden symbolize the love fans have for him. Nick has a calm, quiet confidence on and off the ice and is a first-class person who is tremendous ambassador for the Capitals and the sport.
I’m incredibly pleased to see him reach the 500-assist milestone. It is a fantastic accomplishment, and while he may not reflect on this achievement until later, it gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate his skills and recall some of our favorite passes.
When the game is played at a frantic pace, Nick always seems so patient, almost like he is slowing the game down, visualizing how the play will develop and knowing where his teammates will be – maybe before they even know. And if a defenseman is in the passing lane, somehow the puck still finds a Capitals player. We find ourselves wondering: “How did the puck make it through everyone?” Then we will watch a slow-motion replay of a goal and realize Nick’s soft, subtle saucer pass eluded the opponent’s stick and landed flat for waiting teammate. And then most of us turn to someone sitting next to us and say: “Wow, did you see that? Only Nicky could have made that pass.”
As much as we are amazed, Nick’s teammates and opponents have a greater understanding and appreciation for the skill that is needed to be such an accomplished passer.
We all have seen more than one defender be drawn to Nick, and when many other players might panic and be forced into making a poor decision, Nick seems to calmly find the open teammate. During the course of a game, we see plenty of passes that are slightly out of a player’s reach, end up in a teammate’s skates or cause a player to adjust even slightly, but that minute adjustment to receive the pass takes them out of a quality shooting position. This is where Nick excels. He frequently makes passing look effortless – and we probably take it somewhat for granted and don’t fully appreciate his abilities –knowing the precise time and location to make that perfect pass.
He is the first player to record 500 assists in a Capitals sweater and just the 10th Swedish-born player in NHL history to achieve the 500-assist milestone; only Peter Forsberg accomplished the feat in fewer games. Since Nick entered the league only two players (Joe Thornton and Henrik Sedin) have more assists, and he has the second most assists per game of any active player who has appeared in at least 600 games (Sidney Crosby). Read much more on Nick at Caps Today.
I still remember June 24, 2006, when recently named NHL rookie of the year Alex Ovechkin walked to the draft stage podium in Vancouver and announced that the Capitals were selecting Nicklas Backstrom with the fourth overall pick. At the time he told The Washington Post, “Maybe we can do it together. I can be a playmaker to him.”
Mike Vogel shared the Central Scouting Bureau’s assessment of Nick’s abilities: “A mobile good skater with acceleration, speed and balance … incredible hockey sense and hands … a solid all-around player with terrific overall skill level … good offensive talent, excellent playmaker and passer … a natural scorer with a quick release and a good selection of shots … smooth hands … effective at face-offs … a creative offensive talent with excellent work ethic … finesse player who can play tough, can take and give a hit … has a very good attitude, comes out to play on every shift …”
We have been fortunate to witness all of that – and much, much more.
Congratulations Nick, you make us all feel so proud to be Caps fans. We have marveled at your uncanny skills for a decade, watching and cheering as someone scores as a result of one of your precise passes. Thank you, from one of your many admirers.
