Caps first-line center Nicklas Backstrom is set to play in his first All-Star Game after years of being an NHL afterthought. The shy Swede has spent the last nine years in the shadow of his more outgoing, future Hall Of Fame line-mate, Alex Ovechkin. Backstrom does not crave the media attention or accolades that comes with being a NHL star even though it’s universally agreed he is one.
Sunday, Backstrom will be introduced on a national stage, taking the ice along with two of his teammates and the rest of the league’s best players. But if anyone thinks Backstrom will change who he is because of the experience, they’d be wrong.
If you need evidence, just check out this quote from Backstrom via the Associated Press’s Steve Whyno.
“It’s nice to kind of get appreciated, maybe?” Backstrom said. “But at the same time, it’s not that I haven’t gotten any recognition at all. I’m happy with the way it was or is.”
Maybe Backstrom will come to his senses in this interview with The Washington Times’ Zac Boyer.
“I told myself a couple years ago that if you make the All-Star Game, it would be great,” Backstrom said. “It’s fun, I’m sure. It would be a fun experience. But, if not, I’m not going to waste any energy on it.”
“I’m just going to go on vacation instead,” he concluded.
This guy.
