RALPH BACKSTROM

 REMEMBERING THE FORMER HAB

Ralph Backstrom, who spent the bulk of his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, passed away on February 7, in Windsor, Colorado, at the age of 83. He was born on September 18, 1937, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Backstrom, while still a junior, got his first taste of NHL action in 1956, with the Canadiens. On October 18, he was in the line-up when the Habs and Chicago Blackhawks skated to a 1-1 tie at the Forum in Montreal. He was called up to replace fellow centre, Henri Richard, who was sidelined with an injury. It was game one of what turned out to be five game-tryout over two seasons. The Gazette reported Backstrom "looks like a real prospect ...  [and] appears to have hockey sense and made some nice plays, but he blew his scoring chances."

His second contest was on October 20, when the Canadiens blanked New York 5-0 on home ice. His best scoring opportunity came in the final frame, when he skated in alone on Rangers' goalie, Gump Worsley, but his shot was stopped by Worsley's goal pad.

On December 2, Backstrom took part in his first NHL road game, as Montreal dropped a 1-0 decision to Detroit at the Olympia. On this occasion, he was summoned to replace forward, Claude Provost. 

In his final season of junior hockey, in 1957-58, he captained the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens to a Memorial Cup championship. Backstrom led all goal scores with 17 goals in 13 games.

Also, when the Canadiens were in need of help, they turned to their hot prospect, who was rounding out his amateur career.

When the Canadiens paid a visit to Maple Leaf Gardens on February 12, 1958, Backstrom made his return to the NHL, as Montreal's roster was depleted with forwards Bert Olmstead, Bernie Geoffrion, and Rocket Richard, unable to play. This time, Backstrom worked the wing, beside his big centre, Jean Beliveau. Montreal defeated Toronto 5-2, and Backstrom earned his first NHL point in the third period, when he assisted on Beliveau's second tally of the contest.

Above all else, Backstrom received praise from Canadiens coach, Toe Blake.

"I thought he handled himself very well," Blake told a reporter. "He was skating well, and seemed to work pretty good with Beliveau and [Floyd] Curry." 

As for Backstrom, he beamed about being teamed with Beliveau, and the chance he missed to score his first NHL goal.

"What a player that Beliveau is," said Backstrom. "Did you see that pass he gave me that sent me into the clear? So what do I do? Shoot the puck over the net."

And Backstrom must have been overjoyed when Blake commented on his future.

"Ralph is the only player we've got who has the chance of making the club next season," stated Montreal's bench-boss. "He convinces me more every time I see him."

At Boston Garden, on March 13, Backstrom completed his five game try-out with Montreal. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens by a score of 7 to 3.

Blake proved he wasn't just whistling Dixie, as Backstrom was part of the Montreal Canadiens roster when they broke camp and opened the 1958-59 season.

Before embarking on his first full-season in the NHL, Backstrom played in his first of six (1958, 1959, 1960, 1962 1965, and 1967) All-Star Games. On October 4, 1958, the Canadiens defeated the All-Stars 6-3, and Backstrom skated on Montreal's fourth line between Don Marshall and Marcel Bonin. 

Seven games into his rookie campaign, Backstrom scored his first two goals in the National Hockey League. They came in a tilt against the Chicago Black Hawks on October 23, 1958, at the Forum. Both goals were scored with Glenn Hall between the pipes. A newspaper account of his first goal noted that Backstrom "combined with Don Marshall and Marcel Bonin to fool Hall with a 50-foot snapshot."  

In the mid-season voting for top rookie honours, Backstrom garnered 73 points to lead all freshmen. He continued his dominance in the second half and was named the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy on May 1, 1959. He amassed 141 points, with Leafs' defenceman, Carl Brewer, placing second with 67 points. Backstrom's stats at the end of the regular season were impressive. In 64 contests, he scored 18 goals and 22 helpers for 40 points.

To cap off his splendid first term, Backstrom captured his first of six Stanley Cups. The Canadiens during this era were in the midst winning five straight Cups. Their run began in 1956 and ended in 1960. Backstrom, who played behind Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard in a checking role, added Cup wins in 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969.

Following the 1969-1970 season, it was Backstrom's desire to hang up his skates after 12 years with the Canadiens. The aspect of playing time was a concern for the 33 year old veteran. But the Canadiens' brass persuaded him to attend training camp. Prior to the regular season, Backstrom changed his mind and left the club. Once again, the Canadiens went to work on Backstrom and coaxed him out of retirement. 

In 16 games, he saw limited ice time, which only added to his frustration. He scored one goal and four assists in his swan song as a Montreal Canadien.

On January 26, 1971, Backstrom was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings. His response to the trade was positive and added credence to his wish to get his career back on track.

"I talked with Los Angeles ... and I'm told I'll get every opportunity to play regularly there," Backstrom said before departing.

The significant of this trade, and another one made in May 1970, wouldn't be realized until the 1970-71 season came to a conclusion. 

Sam Pollock, the Canadiens' general manager, shipped Ernie Hicke to the Oakland Seals in exchange for Francois Lacombe on May 22, 1970. Part of the agreement included "players to be named later." Ultimately, this resulted in Montreal's first round draft choice in the 1970 Amateur Draft going to Oakland for the California Golden Seals first round pick in the 1971 Amateur Draft. The Oakland Seals became the California Golden Seals early in the 1970-71 season.

The stakes were huge for Pollock, as Guy Lafleur was draft eligible in the 1971. With Jean Beliveau's retirement, Pollock hoped to have the Quebec Ramparts' star replace the legendary Beliveau in his line-up. To accomplish this, Pollock needed the California Seals to sink and remain at the bottom of the NHL standing.

At the time of the Backstrom transaction, the Seals were part of a cluster of teams trying to avoid the crown of cellar-dwellers. One of those clubs was the Los Angeles Kings. They only had a five point lead over their rival on the west coast. To help widen the gap, Pollock hoped a Backstrom renewal in LA would aide the cause. Also, Pollock had to be concerned with Buffalo, Vancouver, and Detroit, sinking below the Seals.

As for Backstrom, he got his game back on track and helped his new club pull away from California in the standings. In 33 contests, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. The Seals finished last with 45 points, while the Kings, climbed to fifth-place in the Wester Division with 63 points. The Detroit Red Wings held a 10 point advantage over the Seals.

After exhaling, Pollock got his man, thanks to the Seals futility, when he selected Lafleur in the Amateur Draft. 

"Sammy Pollock needs the first draft choices for five years like I need a hole in the head," said NHL president, in reference to Montreal stockpiling draft picks.

Down the road, Backstrom discovered there was more to the arrangement than he realized. "I was traded to the Kings for Gord Labossiere, Ray Fortin and 'other considerations.' Later on, I discovered what the 'other considerations' were. The Montreal Forum got the closed circuit telecast of the first heavyweight fight between Joe Frasier and Muhammad Ali which Jack Kent Cooke (Kings' owner) was promoting."

Pollock, who discovered Backstrom when he played juvenile hockey in his hometown of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, described Backstrom in a 1986 interview, as "an outstanding player ... he was a great skater and a good scorer."

Ralph Backstrom remained with the Kings until February 26, 1973, when he was sent to Chicago for Dan Maloney. With Chicago, Backstrom made his last appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, when his new team faced his old team, the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs prevailed by winning the best-of-seven Final in six games.

In 1032 NHL games, he scored 278 goals and 361 assists for 639 points.

He jumped to the World Hockey Association in 1973-74, and signed with the Chicago Cougars.

One of the highlights of his stint with the Cougars came in the autumn of 1974, when he was selected to play for Team Canada in the Summit Series against the Soviets in an eight-game confrontation.

Although the Soviets won the competition against the WHA all-stars (4-1-3), Backstrom's performance didn't go unnoticed. "It was a good series for me. I was voted the most valuable player by the Canadian Press."

Also, his work ethic and play impressed Team Canada coach, Billy Harris. Commenting on future Canadian teams going to battle against the Soviets, Harris said the roster should include "20 players with the attitude of Ralph Backstrom."

Several months later, on December 27, Backstrom found himself in a unique situation. Due to mounting expenses, and faltering gate receipts, the Cougars faced the possibility of going under. To keep the franchise from drowning, Backstrom, along with his teammates, Pat Stapleton and Dave Dryden, purchased the team. A lawyer, Jeff Rosen, was the fourth member of the group. 

Despite the attempts of the new consortium to turn things around, the Cougars folded after the end of play in 1974-75. Unable to secure a new building, ownership and the league decided it was time to cut their losses. Several of the Cougars, including Backstrom, became members of the new WHA expansion team in Denver Colorado.

As for his experience as an owner, Backstrom spoke of the impact it had on him. "I aged quite a bit during that time period," said Backstrom. "We had a lot of office responsibilities and it took away from our playing time. We just had too many worries."

It didn't get better for Backstrom in Denver with the Spurs. The club packed up and moved to Ottawa on January 2, 1976, and became the Ottawa Civics. Again, financial problems were the root of the troubles in the Rockies. On the ice, Backstrom led the team in scoring.

Hesitant to commit to moving to Ottawa, where he starred as a junior under Sam Pollock, Backstrom declared he was a free agent. After more thought, he relented and joined the Civics for a game against the New England Whalers on January 7, 1976.

Backstrom's stay in the capital city of Canada didn't last long. On January 15, 1976, he was traded to the Whalers for future considerations.

After one more season with New England in 1976-77, Backstrom called it a career. 

In 304 WHA games, he scored 100 goals and 153 assists for 253 points.

Ready to start a new phase in his professional life, Backstrom remained in the game, and joined the University of Denver hockey program as an assistant coach in 1977. He worked under head coach Marshall Johnston, who spent seven seasons in the NHL.

After three terms at the University, Backstrom left the institution to return to the National Hockey League. During the 1980-81 season, he served under Bob Berry as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings amassed 99 points and finished in second-place in the Norris Division. However, their success in the regular season didn't result in a long playoff run. In the preliminary round, they were ousted by the New York Rangers.

When Marshall Johnston departed the University of Denver for the job of assistant coach and manager with the NHL Colorado Rockies, Backstrom left the Kings to return as head coach of the UD Pioneers. His appointment was announced on May 8, 1981. The Pioneers were part of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Besides his duties behind the bench, he recruited players for the school, and stressed the advantages of college hockey over junior. "College players have more time to learn the skills of the game," Backstrom told the Nanaimo Daily News in a 1982 interview. "Scouts tell me that players from college are better at the fundamentals of the game because they practice more."

Backstrom resigned from his position on March 6, 1990. His record was 182-174-14 over nine seasons as the head coach. 

 The crowning moment in his collegiate career came in 1986, when he was awarded the Spencer Penrose Award as the National Division 1 Coach of the Year. He led his club to the WCHA championship, which entitled them to play in the NCAA Final Four. They didn't emerge from the tournament victorious, but it was their first appearance in 13 years.

As far as his future was concerned, Backstrom hoped to return to the coaching fraternity in the pro ranks. He made the jump to the International Hockey League, and for two seasons, beginning in 1990-91, guided the Phoenix Roadrunners.

Always up for a challenge, Backstrom held several posts after he left Phoenix.

In 1992, along with former WHA founder, Dennis Murphy, Backstrom helped create Roller Hockey International. The league consisted of 12 teams and Backstrom ran the organization as its commissioner. He remained with the league until 1999.

From 1999 to 2002, he was employed as a part-time scout with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. 

His final gig in hockey came in 2002, when he co-founded the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League. He held the position of president and general manager until he retired in 2007. He went out a winner by capturing his second President's Cup championship. His first came in 2005.

"Ralph Backtrom was the most honourable gentleman I've ever encountered in my professional life and he was single-handedly responsible for professional hockey in Northern Colorado," stated Martin Lind, the Eagles' owner, after Backstrom's death. "We all are forever indebted to this legacy of a gentleman and we pray his family has peace and comfort during this difficult time."