Does life begin at 30 in the NHL?
Well, that’s almost the truth for goalie Niklas Backstrom of the Wild. Backstrom, 29, signed with the Wild as a free agent last June, having played for several years in his native Finland. Yesterday he was named by the NHL as its First Star for the week ending February 25 after producing a record of 3-0-0 with 1.62 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.
Since replacing the injured Manny Fernandez, Backstrom’s record is 9-2-1. He has improved his season record to 13-7-4. He ranks third among NHL goaltenders in goal-against average (2.23) and save percentage (.923).
“I’ve tried to enjoy every moment out there because you’ve been dreaming about playing here and I am not that young anymore,” Backstrom said yesterday. “I am really thankful to have a chance to play here. I just tell myself don’t think too much, have fun and these are the games you are going to remember when you retire.”
Backstrom said “every kid back home who plays hockey dreams about playing over here.” He wondered, though, if his opportunity would come. He had thoughts that he “missed” his chance so he’s grateful for the opportunity now.
Backstrom played the past four seasons with Karpat Oulu of the Finnish Elite League, including back-to-back championship seasons in 2003-04 and 2004-05. He won 104 of the 177 games he played in the Finnish league, with a 104-36-37 record. He had 18 shutouts in four seasons with Karpat and never had a goals against average over 2.17.
He had an outstanding final season in Finland, compiling a 32-9-10 record. He ranked first in the league with a career-low 1.68 goals against average and finished second with a .939 save percentage.
The Wild (35-23-5, 75 points) are second in the Northwest Division, two points behind first-place Vancouver. They begin a three-game road trip Wednesday against the Calgary Flames, who trail Minnesota by two points in the division.
Backstrom is 1-1 with a 1.86 goals against average versus Calgary this season.
Fernandez has been out with a knee injury since January 30. Although Fernandez was the team’s regular goalie, Backstrom won two games earlier in the season he didn’t start. A Wild spokesman reported that Fernandez’s return date hasn’t been decided.