Mikael Backlund of the Kelowna Rockets named Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week
May 5, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Mikael Backlund of the Kelowna Rockets is the Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week for the week ending May 3. Backlund, a recipient of the honour for the second time this post-season, scored five goals and one assist for six points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.
Backlund and the Rockets hosted game six of the Western Conference Championships last Monday night leading the series 3-2 against the Vancouver Giants. He scored a hat-trick including his ninth goal of the post-season which counted as the overtime winner as first star of the 5-4 win, clinching the series win for the Rockets. The WHL Championship Series began Friday night in Calgary where the Rockets grabbed a game one win over the Hitmen 3-1 with Backlund contributing an assist on the opening goal. He also scored two goals including the game-winner and insurance marker both in the third period Saturday night in the 5-2 game two win leading the Rockets to a 2-0 series lead.
Backlund, a 20-year-old from Vasteras, Sweden, is tied for third in WHL playoff scoring with 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in 16 games. Playing in his first WHL season, Backlund competed at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships and won a silver medal with Team Sweden before joining the Rockets on January 12. He was a first round selection, 24th overall by the Calgary Flames at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Cédric Lalonde-McNicoll of the Shawinigan Cataractes was the recipient of the award last week and is the QMJHL nominee once again after scoring two goals and one assist in two games. All three points were scored in a first star performance Saturday night in a 5-3 win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs to tie the QMJHL Championship Series 1-1. Andrei Loktionov of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires was also considered for the award after scoring three goals and two assists for five points in two games. Loktionov was named first star of the game Friday night in a 5-3 win over the Brampton Battalion in game two of the Rogers OHL Championship Series with the game-winning goal and one assist.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2009
- Giants Pierro-Zabotel signs with Penguins - Vancouver Giants
- Mikael Backlund of the Kelowna Rockets named Boston Pizza CHL Player of the Week - Kelowna Rockets
- Pats Dismiss Derkatch - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Get your 2009-2010 Hurricanes Season Tickets Today - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Pats Dismiss Coaching Staff - Regina Pats
- Kelowna Rockets Take 3-0 Series Lead Over Calgary Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
