Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund has won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the 2022-23 season. The annual award is given to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.

The winner is chosen by selected members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and the NHL Broadcasters Association.

The other two finalists are the New York Islanders Anders Lee and the Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse

Backlund has spent his entire NHL career with the Flames organization after being drafted in 2007.

Some of the noteworthy causes Backlund and his wife Frida support in Calgary include work with the ALS Society of Alberta, Kids Cancer Care, Special Olympics Calgary and Parachutes for Pets.

Backlund was also the co-winner of the media voted Peter Maher Award and was the Calgary PHWA chapter’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy this season. He’s the fourth Flame to win the King Clancy in the award’s history, following Lanny McDonald (1987-88), Joe Nieuwendyk (1994-95) and Jarome Iginla (2003-04).

Congratulations to Mikael and Frida. Thank you for all the work you do to make our city a better place!