The Washington Capitals honored Nicklas Backstrom for reaching 600 assists in a pregame ceremony, Wednesday. Backstrom recorded milestone assist number 600 on October 22 in Vancouver on a (suprise, suprise) Alex Ovechkin powerplay goal. The 30-year-old Swede reached 600 assists in only 823 games and is the first player from the 2006 NHL Draft class to reach this threshold.
The Capitals played a tribute video to celebrate Backstrom’s accomplishment that included congratulations from his family, teammates, and Swedish superstars.
Ted Leonsis even presented Backstrom with a golden puck and a Tiffany crystal with “600” engraved on them. After the game, a humble Backstrom revealed that while he was honored, he didn’t need any more gifts moving forward for one big reason.
Video
First, the Capitals aired a tribute video that included kind words from John Carlson who highlighted Backstrom’s selflessness.
“It’s nice to see you accomplish this goal,” Carlson said. “I know you probably don’t care, but everyone around you really does.”
Backstrom also received kind words from his family, Mats Naslund, Braden Holtby, former Capital Ulf Dahlen, Brooks Orpik, Peter Forsberg, TJ Oshie, Mats Sundin, and Alex Ovechkin.
Once the video ended, Backstrom stepped off the Capitals bench and waved to the Capital One Arena crowd.
Backstrom met team president Dick Patrick, owner Ted Leonsis, and his fiancée Liza Berg at the corner boards. Dick Patrick gave Backstrom an engraved crystal and Leonsis gave Backstrom a golden puck.
The golden puck that Ted Leonsis presented Backstrom included engravings of the place and date of Backstrom’s 600th assist.
Nick’s Golden Puck, for 600 assists!! pic.twitter.com/nfKVDhcFCw
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) November 8, 2018
Photos: @TedLeonsis
The crystal had a more intricate engraving, and Backstrom’s personal trainer posted a photo to Instagram showing how the massive size of the gift.
After the game, Backstrom revealed that he told Leonsis, “Ted, you gotta stop giving me gifts. I got the one gift I need.” Backstrom, of course, was referring to the team’s Stanley Cup championship in June.
The Swedish center seemed to get the biggest kick out of the fact that his teammates were there too.
“I think it’s great,” Backstrom said. “I’m very honored and flattered, but I wouldn’t be there without my teammates. It’s fun to see them on the bench too.”
The Capitals gave Backstrom an even better gift hours later as they somehow beat the Penguins 2-1 to win their first back-to-back games of the season.
The ceremony was a wonderful tribute to the Capitals’ mostly silent superstar, and for once, Backstrom was the center of attention.
This man deserves MANY more of these celebrations. Congrats on 600 assists @backstrom19 ! pic.twitter.com/bsE7XNbjRZ
— Al Koken (@RealSmokinAl) November 8, 2018
He seems to be getting more comfortable with that.
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Headline photo: Washington Capitals
