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.