Flames captain Mikael Backlund set to skate in 1,000th NHL game
Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund prepares for a face off during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund will celebrate a significant milestone this week, playing in his 1,000th National Hockey League (NHL) game.
Backlund and the Flames will suit up against the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Flames said they will celebrate the milestone at the Saddledome when the team is back in Calgary on Friday, facing off against the New Jersey Devils.
A product of Vasteras, Sweden, the 35-year-old centre has been a member of the Calgary Flames organization for nearly two decades.The Flames named Backlund their captain in 2023.
Originally selected by the Flames 24th overall in the 2007 NHL draft, Backlund has since amassed 202 goals and 334 assists for 536 points through his 999 career games – all with the Flames.
Mikael Backlund, centre, of Vasteras, Sweden, poses with the team representatives after being selected by the Calgary Flames during the first round of the NHL draft Friday, June 22, 2007, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Through nine games this season, Backlund has put up two goals and three assists in nine games.
He was also recognized by the league for his leadership in 2022-23, winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
Heading into Wednesday night’s game, the Flames are 5-3-1 after losing three straight following their hot start to the season.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants
The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately.
Could the discovery of an injured, emaciated dog help solve the mystery of a missing B.C. man?
When paramedic Jim Barnes left his home in Fort St. John to go hunting on Oct. 18, he asked his partner Micaela Sawyer — who’s also a paramedic — if she wanted to join him. She declined, so Barnes took the couple’s dog Murphy, an 18-month-old red golden retriever with him.
opinion
opinion How will the weak Canadian dollar affect your holiday and travel plans?
As the Canadian dollar loses ground against major global currencies, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how current exchange rates can impact your travel plans, and shares tips to help you plan smarter and protect your wallet.
The world has been warming faster than expected. Scientists now think they know why
Last year was the hottest on record, oceans boiled, glaciers melted at alarming rates, and it left scientists scrambling to understand exactly why.
The latest: Water bottle, protein bar wrapper may help identify shooter in UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing
The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday. Here's the latest.
7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook a large area of Northern California on Thursday, knocking items off grocery store shelves, sending children scrambling under desks and prompting a brief tsunami warning for 5.3 million people along the U.S. West Coast.
Saskatoon based dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts
A Saskatoon based dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts.
Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis and other former 'SNL' cast members reveal how little they got paid
Live from New York, it's revelations about paydays on 'Saturday Night Live.'
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim admits to being 'orange pilled' in Bitcoin interview
Bitcoin is soaring to all-time highs, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim wants the city to get in on the action.
Edmonton
-
30 robberies involving the swarming of store employees reported to Edmonton police
The Edmonton Police Service is warning of a new shoplifting trend where groups of young people swarm store employees to steal expensive products.
-
'A bit of a middle ground': Edmonton city council approves 6.1 per cent property tax increase for 2025
After four days of deliberations, and some contention ahead of the final vote, Edmonton city council passed a 6.1-per-cent increase for 2025.
-
Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants
The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately.
Lethbridge
-
A new partnership looks to improve and maintain trails in Lethbridge's river bottom
A new partnership in Lethbridge will look to improve and maintain paths within the city's river bottom trail network.
-
Lethbridge peace officer charged in relation to more than 10-year-old incident
A Lethbridge police community peace officer has been charged with an off-duty incident stemming from more than 10 years ago.
-
Lethbridge homeless support facilities expanding to cope with increasing demand
Lethbridge has seen its population of people experiencing homelessness increase significantly over recent years, but help is coming, as construction is underway on an expansion of the Lethbridge Shelter.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim admits to being 'orange pilled' in Bitcoin interview
Bitcoin is soaring to all-time highs, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim wants the city to get in on the action.
-
Could the discovery of an injured, emaciated dog help solve the mystery of a missing B.C. man?
When paramedic Jim Barnes left his home in Fort St. John to go hunting on Oct. 18, he asked his partner Micaela Sawyer — who’s also a paramedic — if she wanted to join him. She declined, so Barnes took the couple’s dog Murphy, an 18-month-old red golden retriever with him.
-
Residents displaced after fire leaves Surrey home uninhabitable
A number of people have been displaced after a fire broke out at a two-storey home in Surrey's Newtown neighbourhood Thursday evening.
Vancouver Island
-
Could the discovery of an injured, emaciated dog help solve the mystery of a missing B.C. man?
When paramedic Jim Barnes left his home in Fort St. John to go hunting on Oct. 18, he asked his partner Micaela Sawyer — who’s also a paramedic — if she wanted to join him. She declined, so Barnes took the couple’s dog Murphy, an 18-month-old red golden retriever with him.
-
K’ómoks First Nation makes history with milestone in land governance
The K’ómoks First Nation is making history by becoming the first land code nation in Canada to appoint a justice of the peace – and she’s been recognized as a trailblazer, too.
-
Emotional pre-Christmas reunions as HMCS Vancouver returns home after a 6-month deployment
Just in time for Christmas, the HMCS Vancouver along with 240 crew members has retuned to Esquimalt Harbour after a six-month deployment.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon based dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts
A Saskatoon based dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts.
-
How does Saskatoon's snow removal plan stack up against other prairie cities?
One of the noticeable changes during Saskatoon’s 2025 budget deliberations at city hall this past week was an increase to the snow and ice budget.
-
Sask. school bus driver arrested for impaired driving after transporting 50 kids
A Saskatchewan school bus driver, who was transporting 50 children shortly before his arrest, is facing impaired driving related charges.
Regina
-
NEWNEW Sask. dad who withheld daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine to be sentenced Friday
A Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mother to prevent the child from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will be sentenced on Friday.
-
Regina home recognized internationally for architectural design
Jane Arthur and her husband David began a unique construction project in 2014. Now, a decade later, their home in Regina's Cathedral neighbourhood has won a title in the Urban House and Villa category at the World Architecture Festival.
-
Regina's Gathering Place hosts holiday dinner, upwards of 1,000 meals served
Dozens of cars lined up around the block and down the street as the Gathering Place was the venue to a drive thru holiday dinner.
Toronto
-
2 men, 4 teens charged in Markham jewelry store robbery as police search for 6 more suspects
York Regional Police have charged four teenage boys and two men and are looking for six more suspects in connection with a jewelry store robbery in Markham on Wednesday.
-
Video shows moments leading up to fatal shooting in Brampton
Video has surfaced showing the moments leading up to a fatal shooting outside of a Brampton home late Wednesday night.
-
'It was like I was brainwashed': 2 Ontarians lose $230K to separate AI-generated cryptocurrency ad scams
Two Ontarians collectively lost $230,000 after falling victim to separate AI-generated social media posts advertising fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Montreal hit with first major snowfall of the year
Montrealers woke up on Thursday to the first real dump of snow as winter looks ready to set in.
-
Former Montreal health worker sentenced to 2 years in prison for forging COVID-19 vaccine documents
A former Montreal health-care worker has been sentenced to two years in prison for creating hundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccination documents in 2021.
-
Montembeault, Laine lead Canadiens to 3-0 win as Predators lose sixth straight
Sam Montembeault stopped 29 shots and Patrik Laine scored again to lead the Montreal Canadiens past the Nashville Predators 3-0 on Thursday night.
Atlantic
-
Police investigating after second homeless Nova Scotia man dies in as many weeks
Police in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley are investigating the second sudden death of a homeless person within the past two weeks, prompting a local social advocate to sound the alarm about worsening weather.
-
Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants
The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately.
-
Memorial service marks 107 years since the Halifax Explosion
The sound of the Citadel cannon will echo through downtown Halifax at 9:04 a.m. Friday – the exact time a massive explosion shook the city 107 years ago.
Winnipeg
-
'In the dark': Surrounding community speaking out on proposed supervised consumption site
It was revealed on Wednesday that the proposed location of a supervised consumption site has been set for the Disraeli Freeway, and now members in the surrounding community are speaking out.
-
Cyber incident impacting court fine collection agency
The Province of Manitoba says it is working to determine how many Manitobans are impacted by a cyber incident.
-
'I do it for the community': Winnipeg veteran camps out at Higgins and Main for Christmas donations
A Winnipeg veteran wants to bring back some holiday spirit to his community. To get it done, he is camping out at Higgins and Main for 10 days.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING When will the Trillium Line open? We'll find out today
We should learn today when the north-south Trillium Line LRT will open, more than two years behind schedule.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 6-8
Santa Claus continues the tour of Ottawa and eastern Ontario, Christmas markets are open across the region and the Senators and 67’s each play twice at home this weekend. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
-
Ottawa customers turning to couriers to get holiday packages shipped as Canada Post strike continues
The ongoing postal workers strike has some people turning to other delivery companies to get their holiday packages sent to loved ones in time for Christmas.
Northern Ontario
-
Four transport truck drivers charged in northern Ont. collisions on Hwy. 11
Bad weather and bad driving contributed to multiple collisions on Highway 11 on Wednesday, leading to charges for several commercial motor vehicle drivers.
-
More charges in investigation of North Bay man's murder
The Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police has made another arrest about the recent murder of a man from North Bay.
-
Northern Ont. police catch liquor store thief, getaway driver
Two people from southern Ontario have been charged in connection with a liquor store robbery Wednesday in the Town of Thessalon. The suspects were caught after trying to flee on Highway 17 and hiding the booze in a snowbank.
Barrie
-
Ontario police charge man in connection with deadly police-involved shooting in Innisfil
A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal police-involved shooting in an Innisfil, Ont. community nearly four months ago.
-
Snow squall warning issued for Simcoe County, with up to 35 cm of snow possible
Snow squall warnings for most of central Ontario with snow accumulations up to 35 centimetres likely.
-
Cottage country digging out after massive snowfall but challenges persist
It’s been nearly a week of heavy lifting in Muskoka as residents and crews tackle the aftermath of a massive snowstorm that dumped more than 140 centimetres of snow on the region.
Kitchener
-
developingdeveloping Arrest made, replica firearm seized, after early morning standoff in Stratford
One woman has been sent to hospital as Stratford Police investigate an intimate violence investigation Thursday morning.
-
Family displaced after fire rips through Kitchener apartment
A Kitchener family is looking for a new place to live after a fire ripped through their apartment.
-
jeewan chanicka no longer Waterloo Regional District School Board director
The Waterloo Region District School Board is under new leadership.
London
-
Snow set to let up just in time for the weekend
“Snow squalls end for your Friday – as we move into the afternoon we will see some nice peeks of sunshine,” said CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison.
-
Police close local highways due to weather
Snow squalls and strong winds made for treacherous conditions, closing portions of the 401 and 402 on Thursday.
-
Tenants escape unharmed in east London housefire
A fire that broke out at a home on Hale Street resulted in two people being assessed by paramedics, and ten people being displaced.
Windsor
-
How to stay safe this holiday season
Health Canada is advocating for safety this holiday season, providing some tips so you can stay vigilant.
-
'Fantastic': Windsor’s mayor applauds premier for encampment response
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is pleased by the 'positive tone' from Premier Doug Ford in his response to a letter signed by a dozen mayors calling for new encampment measures — including the potential use of the notwithstanding clause.
-
14-year-old boys charged with gunpoint robbery and kidnapping
Windsor police officers have arrested two 14-year-old boys related to a kidnapping and gunpoint robbery in south Windsor.
