Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund has been named the winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, voted upon by a panel of members from the Professional Hockey Writers Association and NHL Broadcasters’ Association.
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is given annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.
Backlund is the Flames’ longest-tenured player. During his long tenure with the Flames, Backlund has been a strong supporter of the ALS Society of Alberta, Kids Cancer Care, and Special Olympics Calgary. He has served as an alternate captain of the Flames since 2018.
New York Islanders forward Anders Lee and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse were also nominated for this year’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy. P.K. Subban, then of the New Jersey Devils, previously won the award in 2022.
The Flames originally selected Backlund in the first round (No. 24 overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft. The 6-foot center has long been one of the league’s top two-way forwards and is regularly in the conversation for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, although he has yet to win the award.
Backlund made his NHL debut with the Flames in the 2008–09 season. He emerged as an NHL regular with the team two years later and firmly established himself as the Flames’ No. 2 center in the 2013–14 season.
Through parts of 16 seasons with the Flames, Backlund has collected 185 goals and 492 points in 908 career games. He’s added 12 goals and 22 points in 42 playoff contests.
Backlund’s contract with the Flames runs through 2024, at which point he’ll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. He is one of seven Flames players set to hit free agency next summer.
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