"He's the ultimate pro"

Tradition states a player treats the gang after a major achievement.

For Mikael Backlund, that means he will be on the hook for one team meal after signing a contract extension and another for being named captain of the Calgary Flames.

Rest assured, they know it will happen.

“If you know Backs, he’s planned six months ahead,” said defenseman Rasmus Andersson. “If you try and make plans with him, you’ve got to text him now for March. He’s got it all under control.”

Upon inking a two-year $9-million contract extension that has him signed through the 2025-26 season, Backlund was named the 21st captain in Flames history on Wednesday.

The next day, his teammates attested why he was the right choice for a club that went without one the past two seasons.

“It should have been done before,” forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. “He’s a guy you want to play for and work for. He shows the way off the ice and on the ice. I’m really happy for him.”

Backlund, who is third on the franchise’s all-time list for games played, is coming off a career-best 56-point season after which he won the King Clancy Trophy for his work off the ice and finished sixth in voting for the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward.

“He’s the ultimate pro,” defenseman Noah Hanifin said. “He does it all right. He takes care of himself. He works super hard. He’s been a Flame for a long time and loves the city and the community. He’s the perfect role model for everybody on the team to look up to and rally behind.”

Taking care of Pelletier

Amidst the sad news of Chris Snow’s health taking a turn for the worse, Backlund’s new contract and captaincy and a pre-season game, somewhat lost was the announcement rookie Jakob Pelletier would require surgery on his left shoulder and be out indefinitely.

Pelletier, who was on the receiving end of a hard hit into the boards in Monday’s pre-season clash with the Seattle Kraken, was expected to make the roster.

“He was going to make our team because of what he brings to the table, his skillset, the energy he brings, his ability to play up and down your lineup, so it’s really unfortunate,” coach Ryan Huska said. “But our job now is to make sure we support him in his recovery so he can get back as soon as possible.”

Pelletier, the affable 2019 first-round draft pick, collected three goals and seven points in 24 NHL games last season.

The players, especially veteran Huberdeau, will also be supporting Pelletier though his first major surgery.

“I told him I’ll be there for him, if he has to come stay with me, stuff like that,” Huberdeau said. “He’s a guy who has a lot of energy, loves to talk, so he doesn’t want to be by himself a lot. I told him everything is going to go well.”