Christian Bäckman

Christian Bäckman (born 28 April 1980 in Alingsås) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for Frölunda HC of the Swedish Elitserien.

Playing career
Bäckman was drafted by St. Louis Blues in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 1st round, 24th overall. It was not until the 2002–03 NHL season that he got a contract for play in the NHL. He only played four games for St. Louis in his first season, spending the rest of the season playing for Worcester Ice Cats in the American Hockey League (AHL). Between 2003–04 and 2007–08 he was a regular for St. Louis recording 64 points (19 goals, 45 assists), and 130 penalty minutes in 228 games.

Bäckman is a big defenceman, moving confidently with the puck who is often seen successfully dumping it towards the net which gives his teammates in front of the goaltender good scoring chances.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout Bäckman played for his Swedish youth club Frölunda in Elitserien where he totalled 19 points in 50 games, winning the Elitserien playoffs.

St. Louis announced on 10 August 2006 that the club re-signed Bäckman for a multi-year contract, although no contract details was released. According to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet the contract gives Bäckman 50 million Swedish kronor (approx. $7 million) over three years.

On 26 February 2008, Bäckman was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 4th round draft pick. On 2 March 2008, in his second game as a Ranger, Bäckman scored his first goal as a Ranger on Antero Niittymäki of the Philadelphia Flyers, off assists from Brendan Shanahan and Scott Gomez.

On 2 July 2008, Bäckman was traded, along with Fedor Tyutin, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche.

In October 2009, Bäckman signed with Frölunda HC.

Personal life
Bäckman is married to wife Jeanette and has two children, a boy and a girl. He spends the off-season in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Awards

 * Silver medal at the 2004 World Championships.
 * Olympic gold medal with Sweden in 2006.
 * Elitserien champion with Frölunda HC in 2005.