Welcome to the Big League, Niklas Backstrom! (Columbus Blue Jackets Coaching Update 6/14/23)

After parting ways with long-time Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltending Coach Manny Legacy, the hunt was on for a top-tear replacement. Today, we learned that someone from within the Blue Jackets pipeline would take over that position. Welcome from Europe Mr. Nikles Backstrom! His career record speaks for itself. He spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Wild, then added one season with the Calgary Flames before retirement. In that time he went 196-144-50. He also has some impressive work in the Winter Olympics, winning a Silver and then a Bronze with his home country, Finland. With an incredible 2.49 Goals Against Average, coupled with an equally impressive Save Percentage of .914, I think this coaching hire is right on goal. (Yes, that pun was necessary.)

Welcome to the big league, Backstrom!   

You can see more of his complete stats here, and yes, use this link. There is a Washington Capitals player who has this same name, so finding our new Goaltending Coach's former stats took a bit of work. 

Niklas Backstrom Stats and News | NHL.com

Source:

Jeff Svoboda Tweet, (@JacketsInsider) 6/14/23, 

"The lowdown on new #CBJ goalie coach Niklas Backstrom

➡️ 45 years old ➡️ From Helsinki, Finland ➡️ Played 10 seasons in the NHL with MIN/CGY ➡️ Had a 2.49 GAA and .914 SV% in 413 NHL games ➡️ Won two Olympic medals with Finland (silver, 2006; bronze, 2010) ➡️ 2009 NHL All-Star"

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