Backstrom has made seamless transition into coaching after long career

For much of his professional career -- and it was a long one, spanning 23 seasons from 1997 to 2019 -- Niklas Backstrom was like any other goalie.

He wanted to play.

There's only one net after all, and Backstrom often deserved it, posting a decorated career that included 413 NHL games over 10 seasons and more than a decade spent in Europe.

But as he got older, Backstrom started to get an itch that many athletes feel -- the urge to help youngsters on the path to similar success.

"Toward the end of my career, coming back home after playing in Minnesota, I worked with some really good, young Finnish goalies," he said. "Looking back when I was younger in my career, I probably would have not liked to help them because you're a little bit selfish and you want to play, but then you enjoy more seeing the success they had and hoping you could be a part of helping them. That's where you think this could be something I could try to do."

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So perhaps it's not a surprise that a goalie noted for his hardworking nature and dedication to the game found himself on the coaching path after retirement. Once he concluded his pro career with Tappara in Finland, Backstrom was hired to become the Blue Jackets European goaltending development coach in July 2019.

After working with the Jackets for the past four seasons in that capacity, Backstrom now has been hired to become the team's goaltending coach at the NHL level. For the 45-year-old, it's a new challenge but one he embraces.

"It's a great opportunity, and I'm really grateful for it," Backstrom said. "Growing up playing hockey and being a part of a team, you still feel like part of the team with the job I've been doing, but now you're closer every day. That's what you love about the game, being around other people and striving for the same goal. There's been a lot of stuff with the draft, and now you get to shift your focus to the upcoming season. It's fun times."

The transition into coaching comes after a decorated playing career that included two appearances in the Olympic Games with Finland. Backstrom began his career with HIFK of the Finnish Liiga and also had stints with SaiPa and Karpat in his native country -- as well as a year in Sweden -- before coming to North America.

In his first season with the Minnesota Wild in 2006-07, he played 41 games, quickly cementing himself as someone who could carry a big load at the NHL level. His best season was 2008-09, when he went 37-24-8 with a 2.33 GAA, .923 save percentage and eight shutouts while earning an All-Star bid and finishing second in the voting for the Vezina Trophy.

In all, he played nine seasons with the Wild and one more with Calgary, finishing his NHL career with a 194-142-50 record, 2.49 GAA, .915 save percentage and 28 shutouts. He then retired after three more years back in Finland before going the coaching route, and he said the transition has been one that has helped him understand the game better.

"The great thing about this game, you're never done learning," Backstrom said. "Whether you're playing or coaching, there's always something to learn. There's been a lot of learning the last four years, and there's still a lot of learning for me. When I played, I could have probably used a bit more of this angle.

"When you play, you're really focused on the day-to-day and you don't really look ahead. And now when you're on the other side, you try to plan ahead and look what the future brings. It's been a lot of learning the past four years, but it's been great to get to know a lot of new people and a lot of new things."

When asked if he had a certain methodology to working with goalies, Backstrom said it's best to tailor his teaching to what each goalie needs, but there are certain fundamentals that often apply.

"I think as a coach you need to know the person and you need to know the player," Backstrom said. "I feel every goalie is different. You have different sizes, coming from different backgrounds. What works for him doesn't necessarily work for the next guy. You have to know the person and you have to know the player, but there are for sure some fundamentals in the game.

"I feel like you have to understand the game, read the game, and you try to make it as easy as possible. The best thing is when the puck hits your chest. That means you did everything right."

He comes into the season ready to work with Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov, and there's no denying the Blue Jackets would like to see improvement in net after the team's save percentage of .887 placed 29th of 32 teams in the league. Both goalies have battled injuries and inconsistent play the past two seasons, but Backstrom said he's ready to try to help them become the best netminders they can be.

"It's going to be fun to get to work with them," Backstrom said. "It's going to be a good challenge. Everyone in the organization has to take the next step, and it's the same for us goalies. We want to take the next step and get better. The talent is there. It's going to be really fun to come to camp and get to work with them and try to help them get to be the best player they can be."