Backstrom, Ovechkin and golf

By Tord Westlund, Aftonbladet, June 2, 2010:

"I've never felt even close to Foppa"

Nicklas Backstrom is off for the summer and is back home in Gävle. He has just signed a new contract with the Capitals that gives him 52 million a year.

Now Backstrom is compared with Peter Forsberg, a comparison that he does not like. "We will never get a player like Foppa again. He is by far the best and I have never felt even close," says Bäckis.

On May 16 Nicklas Backstrom put his signature on a new contract with the Washington Capitals. It runs for ten years and gives him an annual salary of 52 million.

"Yes, it feels good. I have enjoyed every moment there during the three years that have passed."

It was a good dough too, wasn't it?
"I'd rather not think about money," says Nicklas Backstrom.


Hockey star Nicklas Backstrom and several other NHL stars switching sports, but only for a day.

On June 17th Gavle golf course will be swarmed by young and veteran hockey pros who will compete with and against the golf pros.
Peter Forsberg, Douglas Murray and Salming brothers are among those who will be there.

"This will become an annual charity event where the money goes to the children's clinic at the County Hospital of Gävle," says Nicklas Backstrom hosting the contest. The idea was developed by Nicklas together with Ove Molin, who of course hang the skates this season.

"The goal is that we will have a fun day together, but above it we'll support children at the hospital that don't have the same chance in life that I and many others of us had," says Nicklas.

For this purpose he has established a foundation - Gefle sports and Future Foundation - which also will hand out annual scholarships to two promising young people in golf and hockey in the Gävle area. Each team in a tournament will have a golf pro and a sponsor together with the famous athletes.


What about your friend in Washington Alexander Ovechkin?
"He had the good fortune to make hole-in-one the first time he tried to play golf. Then he said that he would put the clubs on the shelf. Since then he didn't play and he will not come to Gävle."

How good are you in golf?
"I have a handicap of eight and I am not that bad," said Nick with his usual humility.

He played a lot as a junior in Högbo and actually had dreams of becoming a golf pro. "My Mom and Dad have said that I wanted to turn pro in hockey, soccer and golf. When I was 14-15 years old it became obvious that it would be hockey.



5 best paid SWEDES in the NHL in 2010/11

1) Henrik Zetterberg, SEK 59 million.
28 years old, forward, Detroit.

2) Henrik Lundqvist, SEK 59 million.
27 years old, goalkeeper, NY Rangers.

3) Daniel Alfredsson, SEK 53.3 million.
36 years old, forward, Ottawa.

4) Nicklas Backstrom, SEK 52 million.
21 years old, forward, Washington.

5) Nicklas Lidstrom, SEK 49 million.
40 years back, Detroit.

1 SEK (Swedish krona) = 0.127416 U.S. dollars

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