Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund named co-winners of 2022-23 Peter Maher Award

We’re at the end of the regular season and Calgary Flames team awards are beginning to be unveiled. First up is the annual Peter Maher Good Guy Award, which was a tie in 2022-23 for the first time in its history. Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund were named co-winners of the award.

Voted on every year by the local media (disclosure: I have a vote), the Peter Maher Good Guy Award goes to the Flames player who best exemplifies Maher’s values in their dealings with others: sincerity, integrity, dedication and respect. Backlund becomes just the second multi-time winner of the award.

The previous winners of the award are Erik Gudbranson (2021-22), Derek Ryan (2020-21), Backlund (2019-20), Travis Hamonic (2018-19), Matt Stajan (2017-18), Chad Johnson (2016-17) and Joe Colborne (2013-14 through 2015-16).

Coleman joined the Flames as a free agent in the 2021 off-season and has become a tremendous resource to media types due to his thoughtful, honest answers and ability to walk reporters through dynamic situations. Backlund, a long-time Flame and longest-serving current alternate captain, has been a frequent face at post-game media chats – win or lose – and has been front and centre for the group this season, often answering the tough questions after close losses. Both are extremely well-deserving winners.