Calgary Flames teammates Andersson, Backlund swap letters with Team Sweden

National Post

09-05-2025

Article content
This is a role reversal for two Calgary Flames teammates and close pals.
Article content
Article content
Rasmus Andersson will wear the 'C' for Team Sweden at the world hockey championship, while Mikael Backlund will have an 'A' switched on his jersey.
Article content
Backlund is the regular captain in Calgary, with Andersson serving as one of his alternates.
Article content
Den svenska kaptensstyrkan 👏
(C) Rasmus Andersson
(A) Mikael Backlund
(A) Mika Zibanejad
Ikväll kör vi! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lZsljJ8pzv
— Tre Kronor (@Trekronorse) May 9, 2025
Article content
This is pinch-me material for the 28-year-old Andersson — an opportunity to captain his national team on home ice.
Article content
His close buddy Backlund will, without a doubt, be keen to offer a history lesson. In 2018, when he was rocking the 'C,' the Swedes won the title in Denmark.
Article content
'I always dreamed of winning gold for Team Sweden, but I don't think I ever could imagine being captain,' Backlund told Postmedia after that tournament. 'It's amazing, an unbelievable feeling. I was very proud of the guys that we got to raise the trophy. And to be the leader of the team, it was a new experience for me, but I enjoyed it from Day 1.'
Article content
Andersson will now be aiming to repeat that feat, right up to the golden finish.
Article content
The workhorse defenceman has been wearing an 'A' for the Flames for the past three seasons — including two as an official sidekick to Backlund — and continued to show his leadership abilities by playing the final few weeks of the wild-card chase on a fractured ankle. He's often mentioned as a candidate to be Calgary's next captain, although his uncertain future could change that. Andersson has only one year remaining on his current contract and will be traded if the two sides can't hammer out an extension in the coming months.
Article content
The Flames have seven representatives at the world championship. MacKenzie Weegar and coach Ryan Huska are part of Canada's contingent, while Andersson and Backlund are skating for Sweden, Adam Klapka and Dan Vladar are suiting up for Czechia and Sam Honzek is representing Slovakia. Prized defence prospect Zayne Parekh played two pre-tournament games with Canada but has since returned home, which was always the plan when he was invited for the exhibition portion.
Article content