In early August, Nicklas Backstrom will play in his first game since winning a gold medal at the 2017 World Championship. The Capitals first-line center will participate in Brynäs’ annual internal scrimmage. Capitals prospect defenseman Christian Djoos will play as well.
Both players are alumni of the team.
At the age of 15, Backstrom first started playing for Brynäs IF’s junior team in the J20 SuperElit league. According to Wikipedia, Backstrom was promoted to the pro team in the Elitserien, Sweden’s top professional hockey league, during the 2004-05 season after scoring 34 points in 29 games (17 goals and 17 assists) as a 17-year-old. Backstrom would play parts of three seasons with the big league team before becoming a full-time member of the Washington Capitals during the 2007-08 season.
The game will be played at 6:30pm in the Gavlerinken Arena. Other notable NHL players who are planning to participate include Mattias Ekholm and Jakob Silfverberg.
More from Brynäs’ official website:
Nine NHL players are ready for this year’s internal scrimmage.
Many returnees are coming home to play in the annual internal scrimmage Black vs. White.
Brynas IF arranges an annual internal scrimmage every season to kick start the season. This year the game will be played on August 10th at 6:30pm in the Gavlerinken Arena.
The admission to the whole arena will be free, and free open seats. Galverinken Arena opens at 5:30pm. The game starts at 6:30pm and the game will be two twenty minute periods. Brynas IF roster for the 2017-18 season will be mixed with returnees from the NHL and will be divided into two teams. One team will wear white jerseys, and the other team will wear black jerseys.
Before puck drop the team will line up on the blue line for a presentation.
After the game is complete, an autgraph session is scheduled with the players from Brynas IF and the NHL player who wants to participate. The concession stands in the arena will be open and the Brynas team store in the entrance hall is open from 11 AM.
In addition to the entire Brynas IF roster for the 2017/2018 season who will play in the game, the following NHL plauers will also participate:
- Mattias Ekholm
- Jakob Silfverberg
- Nicklas Bäckström
- Christian Djoos
- Calle Järnkrok
- Johan Larsson
- Oskar Lindblom
- Anton Rödin
- Elias Lindholm
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Backstrom’s Swedish trainer Andreas Öhgren posted video of the Capitals’ all-time assist leader working out.
Translation by friend of the blog Matilda Wrigsjö
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