Nicklas Bäckström Early life . Bäckström ' s father Anders is a known Swedish hockey player who played his whole hockey career for Brynäs , totaling 10 seasons for the club . Nicklas ' older brother Kristoffer is also a hockey player , but in the second tier of the Swedish league system with Hammarby . Playing career . Bäckström was a top prospect in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and was selected fourth overall by the Washington Capitals . With that , he became the fourth - highest drafted Swede , after Mats Sundin ( first ) , Daniel Sedin ( second ) , and Henrik Sedin ( third ) . Victor Hedman was later picked second in 2009 . On July 10 , 2006 , it was announced that he had turned down an offer from Washington Capitals and had decided to play in Brynäs for at least one more season . On May 21 , 2007 , Bäckström signed a three - year , entry - level contract with the Washington Capitals , to begin playing during the 2007 – 08 NHL season . On October 5 , 2007 , he scored his first NHL point , an assist on a goal by fellow Swede Michael Nylander , against the Atlanta Thrashers . Upon his arrival to the NHL , Bäckström was solid but not spectacular as he made the transition to the smaller ice rinks of North America . However , after an injury to Nylander , Bäckström was promoted to the first line , where he flourished . Playing alongside Alexander Ovechkin , Bäckström set NHL and team records while helping Ovechkin win the Art Ross Trophy and the Maurice " Rocket " Richard Trophy . Bäckström was the runner up to Chicago ' s Patrick Kane for the Calder Trophy . Kane had 1 , 087 votes while Bäckström had 872 votes . The Blackhawks ' Jonathan Toews was third with 647 . However , Bäckström was named to the All - Rookie Team along with Kane and Toews . In his second NHL season , Bäckström would go on to lead both the Capitals and Swedish NHL players with 66 assists , and added 22 goals for 88 points , placing him within the top ten NHL scorers in the 2008 – 09 regular season . Bäckström would again prove to be a force in the playoffs , tallying 15 points in 14 games . Following the 2008 – 09 NHL playoffs , Bäckström was awarded the Viking Award for being the best Swedish - born player in the 2008 – 09 NHL season ; he is only the second Capital to win this award , following behind Calle Johansson . At the conclusion of the 2009 - 2010 NHL season , Backstrom finished 4th in League scoring with 101 points . Behind Henrik Sedin ( 112 ) , Sidney Crosby ( 109 ) , Alexander Ovechkin ( 109 ) . Bäckström scored his first career playoff hat trick , including the overtime game winner against The Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs , round that they lost in 7 games . On Monday 17 May 2010 , Bäckström signed a 10 year , $ 67 million extension contract with the Washington Capitals . International play . He played his first game with the Swedish national team on April 6 , 2006 , in a game against Norway . He won the World Championship when he represented Sweden in the 2006 World Championship . As of that tournament he is the youngest Swedish player ever in an Ice Hockey World Championship tournament . Bäckström played the last four games in the WC ( roster spot held open for Daniel Alfredsson ) and was directly appointed to the first line together with idol Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzén . On December 27 , 2009 , it was announced that Bäckström would play for Team Sweden in the 2010 Winter Olympics . Bäckström led Team Sweden in the 2010 Olympics with 6 points in 4 games before they were eliminated by Slovakia in the quarterfinals . Bäckström played for Sweden in :