Backstrom honored by Capitals, former teammates for 1,000th game

WASHINGTON -- Nicklas Backstrom appeared to be everywhere before the Washington Capitals played the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena on Thursday.

To celebrate Backstrom playing in his 1,000th NHL regular-season game, the Capitals players all wore the team's dark blue third jerseys with his No. 19 during pre-game warmups. The players also wore special Backstrom "N1KY" t-shirts, with a picture of him on them, when they arrived at the arena for the game.
Washington then honored the 33-year-old center during an on-ice ceremony prior to the opening face-off.

Backstrom was joined on the ice for the ceremony by his fiancée Liza Berg, their daughters Haley, 7, and Alizee, 1, and son Vince, 4, along with Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan. The ceremony featured a video tribute that played on center-ice scoreboard including highlights of Backstrom's career and congratulatory wishes from current, owner Ted Leonsis and Backstrom's parents Anders and Catrin and brother Kristoffer, who could not make the trip from his native Sweden.
MacLellan presented Backstrom with a silver stick commemorating his 1,000th game and his teammates gifted him with a trip to the golf course and resort of his choice.
"It's fun to watch how you're growing up as a person, as a player," Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said to Backstrom in the video tribute. "I wish you all the best to you and your family. Keep going and 1,000 more games to come."
Selected by Washington with the No. 4 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Backstrom followed Ovechkin as the second player to play in 1,000 games with the Capitals, and the 69th player in League history to play 1,000 games with one team.
"It means a lot and, obviously, to do it with the same team too is very special," Backstrom said Tuesday. "Washington has meant so much to me and to play 1,000 games for this team is going to be a special feeling for sure."
Throughout the evening, the Capitals posted messages from players from around the League on social media, including Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, former teammate and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby.

Retired former teammates Mike Green and Brooks Laich sent their best.

Community leaders from various organizations shared messages of gratitude for all the time Backstrom has spent with them over the years.

"Yeah, he deserves all the praise," Capitals forward Lars Eller said. "We keep saying it all the time, but it's a privilege to play along with him and be part of this organization for all of us. I'm very happy for him. I would say it's a great accomplishment."
Backstrom entered the night leading the Capitals with 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 43 games this season. In his 14th NHL season, he is second in Capitals' history with 969 points (256 goals, 713 assists), behind Ovechkin with 1,317.
"For Nick it was a tremendous accomplishment," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette. "PaIt's not easy to get to 1,000 games. It's the mark of longevity, of doing things the right way and playing the game the right way. He's been such a valuable, important piece for this organization for so many years and to take a minute and honor him for what he's done and what he's accomplished I think was important."
The Capitals and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation are auctioning the Backstrom warmup jerseys, with each signed by the player who wore it, and autographed "N1KY" pucks at
WashCaps.com/N1kyAuction
. The auction proceeds will benefit Kid Power, Inc. and the Washington Capitals Capital Impact Fund.