WASHINGTON — Niklas Backstrom’s resolution to have surgical procedure wasn’t about hockey.
The Capitals’ longtime heart felt the consequences of a power hip harm for years, however he lastly caught as much as him when he performed 47 video games in 2021-22. However it was the impression it was having on his day by day life that in the end led the now 35-year-old to endure main reconstructive surgical procedure.
Backstrom had issue doing even the only duties, from tying her shoelaces to taking part in together with her kids. Though there was a shaky historical past {of professional} athletes getting back from these kinds of procedures, he gave his father and husband, Backstrom, the perfect he might, to let hockey participant Backstrom determine issues out from there. I made it
He consulted different athletes who had the surgical procedure, together with former Wizards level guard Isiah Thomas, tennis star Andy Murray and hockey participant from his native Sweden. Surgical procedure had beforehand claimed an athletic profession, however he was satisfied from the beginning that he would by no means grow to be one in all them.
Talking to the media at follow Wednesday, Backstrom mentioned on the finish of final season, per week earlier than surgical procedure on June 17, “I knew that day that I might return.” was [when]What was extra vital was when and the way shortly I might get well. ”
Backstrom proved proper and required six-and-a-half months of rehab earlier than the Capitals activated him on Saturday forward of Sunday’s sport towards the Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Enviornment. He and Tom Wilson, who has an anterior cruciate ligament tear, will make their season debut collectively after lacking the primary three months.
“It was by no means an issue for him,” Washington head coach Peter LaViolette mentioned of Backstrom. He had it in thoughts to play once more, and he was adamant about it.To his credit score, it is a lengthy highway and you will not see all of it.Restoration from harm It has been an extended highway to come back and these two have come a good distance. There have been good days and dangerous days amongst accidents and they’re actually devoted to coming again and serving to and making an impression on this group. I received
Backstrom was nonetheless taking part in on the prime of his sport earlier than an injury-plagued marketing campaign a yr in the past. He paced the group with 53 factors in a 56-game 2020-21 season reduce brief by the coronavirus pandemic and remained a significant menace on the facility play. has scored at an unfathomable tempo and now he is able to share the ice once more with the participant who has offered extra assists than anybody else.
The Capitals count on Backstrom to be inserted into each the highest power-play unit and top-six heart spot, doubtless transferring Dylan Strom to the wing. It is clear that Washington totally expects the star he was to grow to be a participant earlier than his harm.
“I am not going to place stress on myself,” Backstrom mentioned. “All I can say is I really feel nice. Like I mentioned earlier, the largest factor for me is with the ability to skate and transfer the best way I would like with out ache. Hopefully, with that sufficient.”