Ralph Backstrom
Backstrom with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s
Born (1937-09-18)September 18, 1937
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada
Died February 7, 2021(2021-02-07) (aged 83)
Windsor, Colorado, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Los Angeles Kings
Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Cougars
Denver Spurs
Ottawa Civics
New England Whalers
National team  Canada
Playing career 1956–1977

Ralph Gerald Backstrom (September 18, 1937 – February 7, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and later a coach, entrepreneur and hockey executive. He played in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, and Chicago Black Hawks between 1956 and 1973. He also played in the World Hockey Association with the Chicago Cougars, Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics, and New England Whalers from 1973 to 1977. With the Canadiens, he won the Stanley Cup six times, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year in 1959. After retiring he served as head coach of the University of Denver Pioneers for several years in the 1980s.

Playing career

Backstrom played junior hockey from 1954 to 1958, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens, which relocated and was renamed the Ottawa-Hull Canadiens in 1956. He was captain of the team that won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy in 1957 and the Memorial Cup in 1958.[1]

As a professional, Backstrom joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 1958–59 season and was selected the NHL's top rookie, receiving the Calder Memorial Trophy.[2] He played in Montreal for 12 full seasons, winning six Stanley Cups and appearing in six National Hockey League All-Star Games (1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1967).[3] After the 1969–70 season, Backstrom requested a trade and talked about retiring. He reported to training camp, but left the team just before the season opened. After returning to the Canadiens, Backstrom spent most of his time on the bench until being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in January 1971.[4] With Los Angeles he scored 14 goals in 33 games, enabling the Kings to avoid last place by finishing ahead of the California Golden Seals. Since the Seals' first draft pick had been traded to the Canadiens, this enabled the Canadiens to draft first and acquire superstar Guy Lafleur as a reward for sending Backstrom to the Kings.[5] Just over two years later, he was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks for Dan Maloney and finished the 1972–73 season there.[3]

Backstrom then jumped to the World Hockey Association and joined the Chicago Cougars, where he played for two years, and later became a part-owner of the team.[6] In his first season, he led the Cougars in scoring with 33 goals and 83 points in 70 games. He also represented Canada at the 1974 Summit Series on an all-star team of Canadian WHA players. His offensive production dropped sharply in 1974–75 and at the end of the season the new Denver Spurs selected Backstrom in the WHA's expansion draft. Backstrom was the team's top scorer, but the franchise struggled, and a move to Ottawa—where the team was renamed the Ottawa Civics—did not help. The franchise ceased operations 41 games into the season.[7] Backstrom finished the season with the New England Whalers, scoring 35 goals and 83 points over the year. He played one more year with New England and retired in 1977. He would have turned 40 before the start of the next season. Through his professional career, Backstrom had seven 20-goal seasons in the NHL and two 30-goal seasons in the WHA.[3]

Coaching

Immediately after his retirement Backstrom accepted an offer to join the staff of newly appointed University of Denver head coach Marshall Johnston as an assistant.[8] Three years later Backstrom returned to the NHL as an assistant for the Los Angeles Kings but only stayed for one season before rejoining Denver, this time as the bench boss after Johnston left to join the NHL's Colorado Rockies. Backstrom led the Pioneers through a few lean years in the early 1980s before having a breakout season in 1985–86 when he led Denver to a team record 34-win season, including a conference regular season title, a conference tournament title (their first in 13 years) and reached the team's first Frozen Four since finishing second in 1973.[9] Backstrom earned the Spencer Penrose Award, as national coach of the year, for the impressive season.[10] However, the team was unable to sustain the high level of play for the remainder of his tenure. Backstrom resigned after the 1989–90 season, turning the team over to Frank Serratore.[9]

Backstrom jumped into the professional ranks in 1990–91 when he took over the Phoenix Roadrunners. After a good first season,[11] including pushing the number-one seeded Peoria Rivermen to a seventh game in the Turner Cup semifinals,[12] Phoenix dropped to dead last in the 10-team league.[13] Backstrom subsequently resigned as coach.[14]

Front office

Backstrom, along with Dennis Murphy and Larry King, founded Roller Hockey International and served as commissioner for a time. It soon became apparent that the league was in financial trouble and it suspended the entire 1998 season before playing one final campaign in 1999. While the league did not officially disband until 2001, Backstrom returned to the NHL in 1999–00 as a scout for the St. Louis Blues.[15]

After three seasons with the Blues, Backstrom founded a new CHL team called the Colorado Eagles in 2002.[16] He owned the team, was general manager and president for the first three seasons, including a CHL championship in 2004–05. His Eagles finished atop their division six times, made the finals five times, and won the Ray Miron President's Cup twice in eight seasons before moving to the ECHL in 2011–12.[17] Later moving to the AHL in 2018-19

Awards and achievements

Personal life

Backstrom's parents were both born near Vaasa in Finland, and met in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.[19] He was a cousin of NHL player Daren Puppa.[3] He was not related to goalie Niklas Bäckström, nor centre Nicklas Bäckström.[3]

Backstrom married his first wife, Frances Richard, in April 1961.[20] He married his second wife, Janet, in 1985.[21] They remained married until his death. He had three children: Martin, Diana, and Andrew.[22]

Backstrom died after a long illness on February 7, 2021, aged 83, in his Windsor, Colorado, home.[15] Backstrom's brain was donated for study to researchers at Boston University and it was found that Backstrom had been suffering from stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy at the time of his death.[23]

Career statistics

Source:[3]

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1954–55 Montreal Jr. Canadiens QJHL 2176132 52134
1955–56 Montreal Jr. Canadiens QJHL 18108184 —————
1955–56 Montreal Jr. Canadiens M-Cup ————— 105496
1956–57 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens OHA-Jr. 18108184 —————
1956–57 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens EOHL 18710174 —————
1956–57 Montreal Canadiens NHL 30000 —————
1956–57 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens M-Cup ————— 1517112819
1957–58 Rochester Americans AHL 20000 —————
1957–58 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens OHA-Jr. 2624275164 —————
1957–58 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens EOHL 3321254613 —————
1957–58 Montreal Royals QHL 10110 —————
1957–58 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens M-Cup ————— 131792624
1958–59 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6418224019 1135812
1959–60 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6413152824 70332
1960–61 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6912203244 50004
1961–62 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6627386529 50116
1962–63 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7023123551 50002
1963–64 Montreal Canadiens NHL 708212941 72138
1964–65 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7025305541 1323510
1965–66 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6722204210 103474
1966–67 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6914274139 105276
1967–68 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7020254514 134374
1968–69 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7213284116 1434710
1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7219244320 —————
1970–71 Montreal Canadiens NHL 161450 —————
1970–71 Los Angeles Kings NHL 331413278 —————
1971–72 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7623295222 —————
1972–73 Los Angeles Kings NHL 632029496 —————
1972–73 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 166392 1656110
1973–74 Chicago Cougars WHA 7833508326 18514194
1974–75 Chicago Cougars WHA 7015243928 —————
1975–76 Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics WHA 4121295014 —————
1975–76 New England Whalers WHA 381419336 175498
1976–77 New England Whalers WHA 7717314830 30000
NHL totals 1,032278361639386 11627325968
WHA totals 2348512921476 3810182812

International

Year Team Event GPGAPtsPIM
1974 Canada SS-74 844810
Senior totals 844810

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Denver Pioneers (WCHA) (1981–1990)
1981–82 Denver 21–19–39–15–24thWCHA Semifinals
1982–83 Denver 15–22–011–15–05thWCHA Quarterfinals
1983–84 Denver 14–25–08–18–05thWCHA Quarterfinals
1984–85 Denver 19–17–316–15–32ndWCHA Quarterfinals
1985–86 Denver 34–13–125–9–01stNCAA Consolation Game (Loss)
1986–87 Denver 19–18–316–16–33rdWCHA Quarterfinals
1987–88 Denver 20–17–219–14–23rdWCHA Quarterfinals
1988–89 Denver 22–19–216–17–25thWCHA Runner-Up
1989–90 Denver 18–24–013–15–05thWCHA Quarterfinals
Denver: 182–174–14133–134–12
Total:182–174–14

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Source:[24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Memorial Cup: A History...1958". Taking Note with Gregg Drinnan. May 27, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  2. ↑ "1958–59 Calder Memorial Trophy Winner". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ralph Backstrom Stats". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Ralph Backstrom (1956–1971)". Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  5. ↑ Hawthorn, Tom (February 12, 2021). "NHL stalwart won six Stanley Cups with Canadiens". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 4, 2023. Montreal gifted the talented player to Los Angeles to ensure the draft pick they held from another team would allow them to select Guy Lafleur.
  6. ↑ Scott, Jon C. (2006). Hockey Night in Dixie: Minor Pro Hockey in the American South. Heritage House Publishing Company Ltd. p. 163. ISBN 1-894974-21-2.
  7. ↑ "Ottawa Civics". WHA Hockey. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Ralph Backstrom". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Denver Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Colorado Eagles Mourn Passing of Team Founder, Ralph Backstrom". Colorado Eagles. February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Phoenix Roadrunners Statistics and History [IHL]". HockeyDB. The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Runners to absolve deal with Kings". Arizona Republic. Phoenix. May 20, 1994. p. 31. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  13. ↑ "1991–92 International Hockey League Standings". HockeyDB. The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Ralph Backstrom, coach of the Kings' minor..." Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1992. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 Stubbs, Dave (February 7, 2021). "Backstrom dies at 83, won Stanley Cup six times with Canadiens". NHL.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  16. ↑ Lytle, Kevin (February 7, 2021). "Colorado Eagles founder Ralph Backstrom dies at the age of 83". Coloradoan.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  17. ↑ Blair, Darrel (March 2, 2003). "Inspired by Ice". Coloradoan.com. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  18. ↑ Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley (2003). Who's who in Hockey. Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 9780740719042.
  19. ↑ Coleman, Jim (January 12, 1972). "World of Sport". Calgary Herald. p. 45. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Backstrom". Ottawa Journal. April 25, 1961. p. 22. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Eagles' owner turns dream into storied hockey history". Fort Collins Coloradoan. September 14, 2003. Retrieved February 8, 2021. Janet, Backstrom's wife of 18 years
  22. ↑ "Backstrom, who won 6 Stanley Cups with Montreal, dies at 83". Associated Press. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  23. ↑ Westhead, Rick (February 1, 2022). "Former Canadiens star Backstrom had CTE, researcher says". TSN.ca. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  24. ↑ "2013–14 Denver Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
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