Niklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played ten seasons for the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL), during which he won both the William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award. He also has won both Urpo Ylönen trophy and Jari Kurri trophy twice. Bäckström is a Swedish-speaking Finn, but also speaks Finnish.
Bäckström with HIFK in 2016
Bäckström tending the Wild's net in December 2007.
Bäckström in September 2011 while a member of the Wild
Bäckström during the 2005 IIHF World Championship
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play their home games at the Xcel Energy Center.
On June 19, 2000, the Minnesota Wild named Jacques Lemaire as their first head coach.
Marian Gaborik waves to the crowd after a five-goal performance against the New York Rangers in the 2007–08 season.
The Wild faced the Carolina Hurricanes at Hartwall Areena in Helsinki to open the 2010–11 season.
Josh Harding led the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average before succumbing to injuries during the 2013–14 regular season.
