Imagine walking up the steps to the Scotiabank Saddledome, passing through the doors, and just taking a moment to soak it all in.
History seeps through those concrete walls, but with it, a sense of impermanence, knowing that in a few short months, the ‘Dome will close its doors.
Now imagine being No. 2 all-time in games played for the Calgary Flames (1,148), arriving at the arena you’ve called home since being drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft 19 years ago. There's more memories than can be counted on both hands.
Flames captain Mikael Backlund admits he’s starting to feel a bit nostalgic about the old barn. The centreman is second in games played for the club - and by the end of this campaign, he could be all alone atop that mountain - but as the Swedish pivot embarks on a brand-new NHL season, he’s looking at his surroundings differently, even if it hasn’t quite sunk in that he’ll be calling a new building home in a year’s time.
“The character in this building is really cool and iconic,” he said during a quick dressing-room chat Tuesday afternoon. “Yeah, I think about a bit, coming to the rink every day on the drive in, and walking in the door.
“I don't think it’s really hit that it's coming to an end. I think I’ll feel it more at the end of the season when it's really close, but it's exciting times for the city with the new arena and I think with everything around it, it's going to be really cool.”
But over his time in Calgary, Backlund’s been part of some big moments beneath the Saddle. Debuts, farewells, overtime winners, and milestones for franchise legends Jarome Iginla, the current most games played leader for the franchise with 1,219, and Miikka Kiprusoff, just to name a handful.
“My first game I got to play here after World Juniors so it was really cool,” he said, reminiscing on that January night in 2009 when he touched NHL ice for the first time. “Being part of some pretty cool milestones; Jarome’s 500th goal, my own 1,000th game, and Kipper's last game at the ‘Dome was really cool. It was really special. He had a really good game.
“(Matt Stajan’s) big goal in the playoffs against Vancouver, when we made the playoffs that year. That was cool. My first playoff goal to be an OT winner too, Johnny (Gaudreau) scoring before that to tie the game. Johnny’s goal (against Dallas in 2022), special of course. And then the jersey retirements, Iggy and Kipper. Some really special moments.”
Moments that bring back camera-flash moments to everyone’s mind, the moment they’re referenced.
The Scotiabank Saddledome’s Farewell Season - and the Flames’ 2026-27 regular-season run - gets underway in earnest Thursday, when Calgary opens up its 42-game home schedule against Seattle (CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS).
Fourty-two chances to breathe in the nostalgia as part of the C of Red.
But even in realizing this season will involve a prolonged goodbye to the dear old ‘Dome, Backlund is excited about the imprint Scotia Place will leave on the city for the next generation of fans.
“There's moments where you think about it and get really excited. It's time Calgary got an arena like (Scotia Place),” he said. “It a great city, it's been growing since I came here, and I think it's just missing that high-end, state of the art building that can hold many different events. Some special hotels and even more good restaurants.
“It’s going to be really cool.”
