After nearly two decades in the NHL and a long road back from injury, one of hockey’s greatest playmakers is returning home. At 37, Nicklas Bäckström has signed with Brynäs IF, the Swedish club where his professional journey began. The move brings him full circle after eight games in two seasons and months of silence about his future.
Why Did Nicklas Bäckström Choose to Return to His Hockey Roots?
The SHL team announced the one-year deal, with an option for another season, at a press conference that had been teased for days. By Sunday, most fans already knew what was coming.
Bäckström hasn’t played since late October 2023. That season lasted all of eight games for Bäckström before he stepped away, still dealing with complications from hip surgery. No retirement announcement came. It was just silence, recovery, and speculation about whether he’d ever play again.
Brynäs och the SHL are holding a presser on Monday. It is widely speculated that the Gävle-club will announce the signing of Nicklas Bäckström, 37. Brynäs was the club he left in 2007 when signing with WSH. He has played eight games in the last two seasons. https://t.co/qthNFCVFUj
— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) July 27, 2025
Now, after time away from the game, the energy is back. “I have long had a great drive to return to Brynäs. After undergoing rehab and being away from the game for almost two seasons,” he said. “I feel very charged and full of energy to contribute to the club’s future successes.”
The homecoming carries deep personal meaning. Bäckström grew up in Gävle and made his professional debut with Brynäs in the mid-2000s, before jumping to the NHL as Washington’s 4th overall pick in 2006. The move represented a dream realized, but it also meant leaving behind the place where everything started.
#OTD in 2006, the Caps selected Nicklas Backstrom with the fourth overall pick in the NHL Draft. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/CaZE3LWKqx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 24, 2020
The Washington years delivered everything a player could want. Just over 1,100 games, 1,033 points, 762 assists, and one unforgettable Stanley Cup in 2018. Most of those assists came while feeding pucks to Alex Ovechkin, creating one of hockey’s most dynamic partnerships.
However, the last few years were brutal. Hip issues that dated back to 2015 created a cycle of flare-ups, surgeries, and missed games that gradually wore him down. The body that had carried him through nearly two decades of professional hockey was finally demanding rest.
What Does Bäckström Bring to Brynäs’ Championship Quest?
Brynäs isn’t just a feel-good destination for a veteran’s final chapter. The club was just promoted, stormed through the SHL, and reached the league finals last season. They’ve been building something substantial, and Bäckström’s arrival adds genuine championship pedigree to their roster.
Johan Alcén, the club’s sports director, captured the significance of the signing. “Our wish and hope has, of course, always been to see Nicklas represent Brynäs IF again. He’s indicating that he’s very motivated to be part of our journey towards future success and when I hear that, I feel joy, gratitude and pride.”
The signing also reflects Brynäs’ ambitious rebuilding effort. Bäckström joins a reloaded squad that features other NHL names like Jakob Silfverberg and Kieffer Bellows. This time, though, he’s not the 19-year-old rookie with everything to prove. He’s the battle-tested veteran with scars, medals, and hard-earned wisdom.
“I have always felt that I would like to represent Brynäs again someday if the opportunity arose,” Bäckström said during Monday’s announcement, standing in front of the familiar Gävle backdrop that launched his professional career.
Nicklas Bäckström ➡️ Michal Kempny#Brynäs pic.twitter.com/hhDwgCRe9a
— Brynolf Äse (@BrynasHej) June 20, 2025
The organization clearly sees him as more than just another veteran addition. “In addition to Nicklas being one of the world’s best centers of all time, he has a personality and leadership on and off the ice that makes him a role model for everything we want to stand for,” Alcén explained.
For Bäckström, the decision represents both a return to his roots and a chance to write one final chapter. After nearly two years away from competitive hockey, he’s betting that the familiar surroundings of home can reignite the magic that made him one of the NHL’s elite playmakers.
