Backlund, 36, was in his last year as a teenager when he left Västerås and moved to Calgary Flames organization directly after the Junior World Championship. In January 2009, he made his first of so far 1,066 matches for the club.
Over 16 years later, he is still in the city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the province of Alberta.
How much do you feel like a Canadian?
A little, anyway. I'm clearly Swedish, but both kids (Tillie and Oliver) were born in Canada. Above all, when I'm in Calgary, you feel at home in the city, like a "Calgarian", as they say.
"There have been some discussions"
President Donald Trump's trade war and statements about Canada becoming the 51st state of the USA have not gone unnoticed among the players in Flames.
There has been some talk about it in the locker room. I and the Canadians say "Canada is Canada and USA is USA". We have some Americans who might think differently, and there have been during the season.
Backlund has noted how Canadian pride has strengthened and what different forms it takes.
Canada is very patriotic. After all this with Trump, you've seen flags at people's homes in a different way. After this with the tariffs, the grocery stores have big logos on the products that are from Canada. There are fewer and fewer American products.
Are you worried that Trump's threats might become reality?
No, it feels beyond our time. As Mark Carney (Canada's prime minister) said, it's not going to happen, says Calgary's team captain ahead of Friday evening's World Championship premiere in Avicii arena.
Bought a house in Västerås
He belongs to an exclusive group of NHL players who have only played in one organization throughout their careers.
I'm extremely proud to have only played for Calgary. It has been a fantastic journey, and I appreciate very much that I haven't had to move. We thrive very well with being part of the community, my wife (Frida) and I.
Can you imagine staying when your NHL career is over?
No, we have bought a new house in Västerås, which we both come from and the plan is to move home. But we will be back. I'm looking forward to skiing in the Rocky Mountains.
... to play the World Championship:
I got a request in 2012, but I had injuries then and had to decline. It will probably be no more chances to play the World Championship on home soil. It's special to do it. I wanted to be part of it this year.
... to play the Olympic Games next year:
If I'm going to have any chance to play the Olympic Games, Sam Hallam (the national team coach) needs to get to know me, so it wouldn't have mattered where the World Championship was played.
... to win the gold in 2018, the last time he played a World Championship:
It was a good feeling in the team. It was fun to win in Copenhagen, with all the Swedish fans present. I also thought it was very big to be the team captain, but how it will be now is not my decision.
... that superstars Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon play the World Championship for Canada:
It's incredibly fun for the tournament that two of the best players in the world are coming and playing the World Championship. The favorite pressure becomes a little more on Canada, and of course, it becomes harder to win against them, but it's inspiring to get to play against the best players.
