Whatever Happened To...Niklas Backstrom?

After last playing with the Calgary Flames in 2016, this undrafted Finnish goaltender disappeared from the National Hockey league. So, that begs the question: whatever happened to Niklas Backstrom? Watch to find out!
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[@tatutiinanen655]

Kärpät might have had the two best goalies outside of NHL, with Bäckström as a starter and Pekka Rinne as a backup goalie in 2004-2005

[@marcelrodriguez8860]

Let's not forget Harding was pretty good too

[@lehtinen1068]

As a Wild fan, it wasn’t Backs. The teams were terrible.

[@TBrettzky13]

Lehtinen10 Yep. When you have Miettinen and Brunette on the first line with Koivu, you’re not a very good team lol. I miss those days though. Havlat, Clutterbuck, etc.

[@caleykruse9852]

Just looked up some of those rosters Yikes they were bad

[@HumbleAndCuteLatina]

Ikr

[@rikut9220]

@@TBrettzky13 miettinen sniper tho

[@HanoiRocker85]

lol

[@joseph3970]

I think its Minnesota fault, his stats were good, but must of been his teammates

[@aqillakha4471]

Viking Gaming he played on some trash Wild teams. By the time we were good again he was past his prime.

[@super01thegamer2]

Aqil lakha agreed

[@tegridy27]

@@super01thegamer2 Now what do the wild need? ironically a young Koviu and Backstrom, right players wrong time

[@Kattimies]

In H.I.F.K Backstrom and the team had some problems with eachothers, as the team signed an new goalie that replaced a injured one, they told Backstrom that its only the duration of injury, but they actually kept the goalie for the rest of the season, and they dropped Backstrom as a 3rd goalie, and it resulted in Backstrom not even training with the team, and he didnt play for the rest of the season

[@Ipavaiva]

I was expecting this to be the meat of the second half of the video! I'm sure many fans outside Finland haven't heard this story, and would have found it interesting. As a fan of IFK, I found the whole controversy very sad; Niklas wasn't playing that well so the decision made sense from teams perspective, but I wish he had got a better end for his career

[@kiekko673]

Katt Despite being one of the owners of the team...yeah, that was pretty weird, to say the least...😬

[@Kool-aid-official]

He is my teammates dad lol

[@MrSparkle76]

Niklas backstrom was supposed to start the 2014 playoffs but got hurt in the warm up of game 1 against the avalanche. So it didn't have much to do with his poor play. He had some shitty injury problems that really screwed him up

[@oddis188]

But he got rid of them and was in good shape but didn't get chance to play anymore

[@MrSparkle76]

@@oddis188 that is not at all how injuries work. You don't just get rid of them

[@MrSparkle76]

@@oddis188 he pulled his groin in 2014. Try asking any pro athlete who "got rid" of that

[@brabblemaster401]

After he had his surgery due to injury, he never played the same.

[@terskatti4994]

yep injuries ruined his career in his later playing years.

[@Kovalziio17]

He was a great goalie. Injuries screwed him over, but for me he is an underrated goalie. He deserves more fame.

[@Kool-aid-official]

He actually is my relates dad lol

[@Kovalziio17]

​@@Kool-aid-official No idea if it's truly true, but ill believe you on this one. Man that's awesome !

[@Caniac36]

You should do whatever happened to Manny Fernandez

[@hockeymaster306]

Yesssss!

[@GooseGumlizzard]

i think he just got really old and retired

[@georgesun4537]

Whatever Happened To... Ilya Bryzgalov?

[@choppawood4743]

George Sun is just game why u hef to be med?

[@georgesun4537]

@@choppawood4743 the universe is so humongous big...

[@leicestercityfan7595]

he big retired

[@dinethaltmann9582]

I'm more important because I have more microwave Edit: meant to say microphone but that autocorrect is too good lmao

[@Aaronschinaguide]

He retired and moved to Edmonton. Is like north pole.

[@sapphire01001]

Whatever happened to Nikolai Khabibulin?

[@rafaelroy4658]

Do whatever happened to... KOHO I know it's not a player but I've been really wondering what happened to them

[@288theabe]

As a goalie playing in Canada, I would love to play in Europe. No shame in that. Plus the women there???? 😍😍😍😍😍

[@holoholopainen1627]

Tim Thomas Played in Finland - before Boston ! He was with HIFK & Kärpät - to learn to play !

[@AlexM.13]

Whatever happen to Mikka Kiprusoff?

[@loganmitchell1280]

Alex Mottard yes agreed

[@loganmitchell1280]

But he retired

[@JaredtheRabbit]

Retirement

[@og2tone9o15]

Mikka was great what are you talking about

[@Travelfast]

Miikka*

[@kennyoneil1728]

Ideas for other videos Whatever Happened To... Mike Green (still plays but hasn't been nearly as good as he once was) Alexander Frolov Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn Nikolai Zherdev Nikolai Antropov Manny Legace Brian Gionta Dwayne Roloson Andrew Raycroft Vesa Toskala Maxim Afinogenov Pierre-Marc Bouchard Michael Del Zotto (kind of falls into the same category as Green) Mike Ribeiro Mikhail Grabovski

[@holoholopainen1627]

Nobody knows Where Mike Ribeiro IS ? Do You know His whereabouts ?

[@kennyoneil1728]

@@holoholopainen1627 From what I know he hasn't officially retired and hasn't signed with a team this year so I do believe he is a free agent as of right now.

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@kennyoneil1728 Do You know If Ribeiro IS still ALIVE ? I Have read somewhere / that NOBODY knows Even / Where He IS at !

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@kennyoneil1728 I found Out that - He ROOTS are from Portugal Europe ( Portugese name ) - and so He doenst Have The support of / like other BIG HOCKEY NATIONS HAS ! Please Do Find Out - and Let Me Know ! All The Best / to Both of You !

[@valtteri5711]

Retirement happened to Toskala.

[@hermannikorianteri]

Whatever happened to Patrik Laine?

[@Makchete]

lmaoooo

[@spinoz2319]

He grew up and gave up the Playstation.

[@Maxthethird3]

RUSLAN FEDETENKO... for the millionth time lol 😂

[@MrSparkle76]

He won 2 Stanley cups and had a cup of coffee in new York while playing on the fourth line. Didn't get resigned. End of story

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@MrSparkle76 For Which Team - he won The STANLEYS ?

[@MrSparkle76]

@@holoholopainen1627 Tampa Bay and pittsburgh

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@MrSparkle76 Ok - Thanks ! I Never heard of HIM !

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@MrSparkle76 I had to read about HIM More ! He was The 1st Ukrainan born / Stanley Cup Winner ! So He Never Played at any International A level - tournaments ! I thought That He could Be Ukrainan Canadien - that There are Many Great hockey Players !

[@timur.m1381]

Finally after so many requests to do him thank you

[@Kool-aid-official]

My hockey teammates dad lol

[@jaykegilletz237]

Do what happened to Josh Harding?

[@mark13hazard]

He retired due to health reasons.

[@288theabe]

I want to say multiple sclerosis without looking it up.

[@Underskore]

That's what happened.

[@moosehockey0989]

Man he was a stud goalie. Such a shame he got injured and his career ended.

[@danyheatleyall-star3677]

MisterMoose09 he had ms he didn’t get injured

[@hdhseal8459]

He is still playing very good hoKey here in Tampere and Tappara. Thanks for a good vid👍

[@finlandguy]

Hokey :D

[@aqillakha4471]

My favorite Wild goalie

[@StarBoy62]

Same. Backy is still the 🐐 in Wild goaltending history as far as I’m concerned.

[@Kool-aid-official]

He is also my favorite teammates dad who played in the nhl

[@Kool-aid-official]

@@StarBoy62good to know my remotes dad is goated

[@caleykruse9852]

He was on some really bad Wild teams He was quite good EDIT: man those old Wild sweaters were 🔥🔥🔥

[@Kool-aid-official]

My hockey remakes dad lol

[@brianschlaf7007]

Really miss him in the NHL he was so good

[@Kool-aid-official]

Now he is the blue jackets goalie coach and my teammates dad

[@moosehockey0989]

Am I the only person who has no clue what happened to Joel Ward? Also what happened to all-star MVP John Scott?

[@moosehockey0989]

@@cmcvlogs6144 but he isn't even playing.

[@moosehockey0989]

@* E F * Bringer of Light I'll have to watch it lol

[@andrewfolz7572]

Ward announced his retirement yesterday

[@RealWalterWhite123]

Love you bro keep doing what your doing 1 million subscribers by the end of the year

[@tomi4071]

fun to watch episode of finnish player! Bäckström is still playing here in Finland, cool to see him still playing. you should do whatever happened to jussi jokinen!

[@Kool-aid-official]

He’s my teammates dad lol

[@Shellfish9080]

Please do Josh Harding next from the Minnesota Wild. I loved Harding and he was so different with being opposite handed.

[@bensedg04]

What happened to: Michael Leighton

[@gocanuckurself1]

Plays for the Utica Comets

[@JaredtheRabbit]

Oh yeah yeah Also, that name XD

[@bensedg04]

CKr nah 🅱️

[@enzostauffer240]

Love your work man!

[@OddManRush]

Thanks man: appreciate it! :)

[@themediacritic9732]

He actually came back to Xcel in December 2019 to celebrate Koivu’s 1,000th game. He got a standing ovation during the ceremony. He was the heart and soul of the Wild during the mid 2000s. Shame the team couldn’t back him up.

[@XxNoMErcY99xX]

So a 2.48 GAA and a .909 save percentage is a huge improvement compared to a 2.43 GAA and a .919 save percentage in a worse team? Makes sense I guess...

[@outso]

Fun fact, Bäckströms backup in Kärpät was this young guy called Pekka Rinne.

[@Makchete]

Their story is kinda similiar 🤔

[@outso]

@@Makchete Well, Bäcks was already a famous starter goalie in Finland. National star, if you like. But Pekka was a no-name backup. Who then went to NHL. And rose to a much larger stardom there than Bäcks. Or any other finnish goalie, apart from maybe Kipper.

[@codplayer1978]

@@outso what about rask?

[@outso]

@@codplayer1978 Well, to be fair, Rask is the most successful finnish goalie by Stanley Cups won. And he won Vezina before Rinne. But Rinne took a much worse franchise to where they now are, Boston has been good much longer.

[@codplayer1978]

@@outso yea, but he will always be better than rinne 😀

[@TBrettzky13]

Now Josh Harding! The South-Paw goaltender!

[@hockeymaster306]

Do it!!!

[@danyheatleyall-star3677]

Taylor Brett he had to retire due to multiple sclerosis

[@BradenYG]

It was MS

[@BradenYG]

@@basicbraindead347 no shit

[@Lemo95]

Awesome episode, never seen videos like these before, subbed man

[@juhaleskinen7383]

Nicklas has been one of my favourite player. And as a Finn I'm proud of our goalies!

[@Fausto_4841]

I'm American but I really like Finnish players. I don't remember if it was Tuuka Rask or Pekka Rihne, but my dad said his name almost means "Hank Hill" in Finnish. Is this true or is my dad just making jokes?

[@CometF81]

@@Fausto_4841 Pretty sure Rinne translates to slope, so hill is not that far off. Not sure how you get Hank from Pekka though, quick google search shows Peter as the British version of the name.

[@juhaleskinen7383]

@@Fausto_4841 Rinne is like a slope, that you can ski on. EDIT: If you translate rinne to English. Heheh.

[@holoholopainen1627]

@@Fausto_4841 If You Would have those names ( Your Spelling ) - on a Drivers Licence / Everybody Would know that You were Hank Hill of Your High School !

[@ixacey1069]

you were early on the dubnyk trade, but otherwise a good video. Backy was my favorite. the reason i wear 32, the reason i watched hockey. my absolute favorite.

[@Kool-aid-official]

Good to know my hockey relates dad is ur favorite

[@tarpattituopponen7783]

Niklas Bäckström was quite bad in his last year in HIFK. Letting in multiple easy goals on overtime is a disaster. Though now in Tappara he has played really well. Maybe the key with the older ”Nikke” is not to make him play too often. He needs time to recover but when in shape he’s still on NHL-level.

[@Makchete]

He was treated badly by the staff of the team

[@AEMoreira81]

A good example, even though he's still in the NHL as basically an extra forward for Edmonton, could be Sam Gagner.

[@chasterisk]

Whatever happened to Jonas Hiller?

[@bruhboi3388]

Yees

[@alexandremalenfant2016]

Looking back his stats now, it looks like he had about 10 year of solid netminding (2002-03 to 2012-13). To put the numbers he did in the NHL for a couple of years is highly respectable. He may not have had the longevity of some other goalies, but he's had his roll and enjoyed it.

[@Kool-aid-official]

He’s my hockey teammates dad lol

[@Lihis22]

Great video!

[@geckaway1147]

I remember watching backstrom absolutely carry the wild, glad to see dubnyk doing good now

[@MmaFan34]

I LOVED Backstrom.

[@finlandguy]

U Love bäckström

[@Kool-aid-official]

He’s my hockey teammates dad

[@JLTS76]

Ah yes the most expensive bench warmer these day in the Liiga

[@Ronnie_L]

Backs was just back in MN for when his countrymen Koivu got his silver stick and surprised him on ice. Good stuff. Go Wild!!

[@mark13hazard]

Felix Potvin, Steve Shields, Justin Pogge,

[@Jarikurri68]

Justin pogge is currently in swedens top league were hes been playing for a few teams , he is doing pretty well here in rögle bk !

[@rikut9220]

joni pitkänen pls

[@Makchete]

He was treated badly in the HIFK team

[@ethanwiles4006]

I totally forgot about this guy omg

[@hulkmood3110]

Really like that so different im so use to french or americain commentator but this guys should have place at espn or some big hockey chanel

[@RagingAggron]

Got a couple of swedes that would be great fun to see in this series. Mattias Öhlund, Kenny Jönsson, Per-Johan Axelsson and Jörgen Jönsson (only 1 NHL season but he is probably one of the best players in the last 25 years that didnt want to play in the NHL, his stats and rewards shows that)

[@CKr14]

Awards

[@RagingAggron]

CKr I see autocorrect have betrayed me again XD

[@drinkinbuddy8264]

I almost forgot about this dude. Manny Fernandez. Mark Parrish, Mariusz Czerkawski

[@max27stoner]

You said that he played 2 times in All-Star game in Liiga (then SM-Liiga, the name changed to 2013-2014 season) but it was All-Star Team not All-Star Game and I think you just said it wrong. Also just saying that none of the European hockey leagues have All-Star Game except KHL.

[@ForgottenYouTuber9393]

Got a few suggestions. Whatever happened to: Brendan Morrow Daniel Briere Benoit Pouliot Kevin Klein John Erskine Kyle Quincey Shawn Horcoff Mike Knuble

[@rileyholden2480]

Happy new year

[@arttuvauhkonen7650]

What ever happened to Ville Nieminen.

[@arttuvauhkonen7650]

@Niklas Ukonaho joo tiedetään oon kyllä pelicans fani

[@williscool34]

Just reading his 2008/09 stats make my hips hurt...

[@Mickelraven]

The 2017-18 season for HIFK sure was great. Too bad Bäckström didn't play that many games. But Atte Engren sure was a wall in the playoffs, even though HIFK lost to Kärpät in the semi finals game 7, it still was an awesome season and playoff run. You can probably tell from this comment i am an HIFK fan ;)

[@Gooseman8819]

Zachary Fucale, he was supposed to be Carey Price's future replacement, I remember he was always highly touted in NHL games but I honestly don't even know when he just disappeared from them.

[@DeViLzzz2006]

www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=143823

[@jakedasnake7703]

2.43 GAA and a .919 save percentage and you said he didn’t have a good year? Come on man!!! He’s a fringe HOF candidate if the teams were better around him. They were generally TERRIBLE.!!!

[@realvilums]

Arturs Irbe

[@teroarpiainen5140]

Before Minnesota traded Nik, he had partly failed haunch surgery witch caused him limited trajectory.

[@jackmacdonald8340]

Do Damian brunner next

[@fearthefeathersvlogs6831]

Minnesota:*Makes the Second round* Chicago:*Appears* Minnesota:Welp, Shit

[@brianferris7859]

Randy CARLYLE just got FIRED!

[@JKapli]

Tampereen Tappara is Bäckström's team now.

[@DeepDiveHockey]

I remember mixing him and Nick Backstrom up

[@juuzosavi]

Little fix, Hifk made it to the finals in 16-17 season, and Tappara won the finals 4-2

[@juuzosavi]

And in this 18-19 season, he have had some little injuries and thats why he have had that little amount of games

[@STEELCITYURBEXSHEFFIELD]

I've got one what ever happened to your 'grrrrrrretings one and all' INTRO 😓👊🏻👌🏻

[@islucario464]

Mannnn I miss him so much

[@HumbleAndCuteLatina]

Why did Minnesota have to ruin Backtrom’s reputation......

[@jupe6192]

Today Bäckström plays finnish liiga in Tappara.

[@DeViLzzz2006]

This guy really must love hockey to play that long in pro hockey and still be playing today. I wonder if he has any intentions of being a coach of some sort someday. As for some of the years mentioned where he did not do well eh when you have a 2.40 or so GAA and a .920 or so save % those are damn good numbers. Also like others have mentioned the team in front of him wasn't that good and losing out to the Hawks in the playoffs was nothing to be ashamed of. LOL! Now one thing though let's remember that the Wild also played a very defensive minded system so his numbers did get helped by that plus this was a time when goalies still had some pretty ridiculously sized equipment. Still though I remembered him as a darn good goalie but that Calgary experiment definitely didn't work out. Anyway I have not much love for the Wild as Parise went back home instead of staying with the Devils so keep up the 0 Stanley Cups run Minny. : ) Oh and forgot to say this guy really achieved quite a bit considering he was never drafted. Amazing career considering that.

[@michaeldavidson6955]

Putting HockeydB into words seems like a lot of work.... The way you covered his NHL career made it hard to trust his post-NHL (which is what I was interested in). Minnesota was never a skilled team in his prime, and when he got traded it was David Jones for a 5th. Backstrom was included to balance salary and a couple games was promised in order for him to waive his no trade clause. This video kind of felt like you know nothing about NHL and was just referencing stat lines and CapFriendly.

[@OddManRush]

NHL stands for 'National Handball League' right?

[@michaeldavidson6955]

@@OddManRush I thought it was Never Hungry League. I guess I'm a drunk fool.

[@Catinkontti]

whatever happened to Kimmo TImonen. He is a Legend and great example of faith and effort.

[@tietaja4085]

Bäckström suffered injury for those 2 last NHL seasons

[@FloydLouisCifer]

Calgary Flames legend

[@edvins8863]

Phew, i was worried something happened to nick back

[@boland73]

This is just sad to watch honestly... feel bad for the guy

[@Johnnyiswhack]

whatever happened to Kristian Huselius?

[@nick1daly]

Chris Drury? Tom Poti?

[@wedeni3220]

Holy crap I was just thinking about the guy yesterday wow

[@Kool-aid-official]

He’s my hockey teammates dad lol

[@thinkingjack]

I’d like to see Jason Allison, please.

[@patwainio6217]

He had a 2.34 goals against but had a .914 save % so that mean he got a lot of shots. And the rest of the team was not good

[@kuutisenkiloahiivaa]

I really hope Niklas Bäckström wins the cup in Liiga before his retirement.

[@matthewlav1360]

Lol he’s on the caps

[@loganmitchell1280]

Matthewlav 13 that’s ya different player

[@JaredtheRabbit]

That's Nicklas Backstrom, the Swedish forward. This video is about Niklas Backstrom, the Finnish goalie. Also, oh yeah yeah

[@siddiq106]

😂😂😂

[@matthewlav1360]

Logibear 205 major woosh

[@matthewlav1360]

Jared Lammi oh yeah yeah woosh

[@bdk0941]

What ever happened to Dwayne Roloson?

[@keithkayan]

Hi there! Since you are doing Minnesota Goalies can you make a video for Manny Fernedez please! Thanks

[@_veikkomies]

How can the amount of games not match up with the wins/losses/ties? 2 2 and 2 in 7 games. That makes no sense

[@bvivian]

Do a whatever happened to for Al Montoya

[@dkskskkdkdjcjfjfndn4985]

I could do that!! He is my goalie Coach we do private lessons together. After the 18-19 season on the oilers, he joined their AHL team, playing for a year, then retiring. To this day he just does lessons, and hangs out with his 3 kids. he’s a great guy.

[@81Awil]

It is a bit early yet but could you do a short what ever happened to Nail Yakapov?

[@LiveandAmplifiedProductions]

"Life works in mysterous ways"

[@Kool-aid-official]

Would it be cool if I send the video to him he is my hockey teammates dad?

[@DarkKnight1780]

do tobias enström please

[@JaredtheRabbit]

He's in the Alsvenskan (Or is it Allsvenskan) right now.

[@CKr14]

@@JaredtheRabbit allsvenskan

[@JaredtheRabbit]

@@CKr14 Okay, thanks.

[@Jacob-gu3in]

This guy likes the word 'decade' way too much

[@OddManRush]

Decade

[@Jacob-gu3in]

@@OddManRush no hate, this was my first video and this was good enough for me to subscribe!

[@OddManRush]

@@Jacob-gu3in Thanks bud, glad you enjoyed!

[@emmettrego9719]

There is another Nicklas Backstrom...

[@chrisgarry22]

What ever happened to Dennis Seidenberg

[@fifa2446]

Do John Scott. The man. The myth. THE LEGEND!

[@seancleary6379]

Whatever happened to Jamie Langenbrunner

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

Sean Cleary ooooh good one!

[@deftone4656]

He got old and retired.

[@HeviErkka]

I think Backström is maybe the only undrafted Finn to play in the NHL or am I wrong? Maybe it gives some hope to superb mid 20s players in Finland to get to bigger leagues. Although if you aren't a goalie, NHL is very unlikely.

[@JarradBruessel32]

Whatever happened to taro tsujimoto

[@proclassgamer2180]

BACKSTROM WENT TO THE FLAMES!?!?!? Yes I'm a flames fan