Student-Athlete Spotlight: Nils Backstrom, Hockey

They call him 'The Swede.' Nils Backstrom has a huge smile with a hint of mischievousness. While talking with this talented hockey player you definitely get the feeling that life is a grand adventure meant to be enjoyed.

He started playing hockey at the tender age of 6. As most great players do, starting so young is necessary to become competitive. It's not a sport you can just pick up and be able to hang with the guys out on the ice who have been skating their whole life.

Backstrom chose UAA because of the opportunity to play hockey at a high level and get a good education at the same time. It is not really possible to do that in his homeland of Sweden. There you can play hockey but would only be able to study part time and a college degree would take twice as long. Or, what most hockey players do is play professionally first and go to school later.

Coming to America to play at a university takes a lot of paperwork. He had to complete the necessary tests like the SAT and figure out how he was going to pay for it. UAA hockey Head Coach Dave Shyiak helped him tremendously with all of that.

"When we recruit, we look at both ability and character. Backstrom's athletic ability made him a first choice and he is a very good student as well," says Coach Shyiak.

Fortunately, Backstrom received a Division I scholarship that pays for his tuition, books and gives a small stipend. He doesn't have time to work with school, practice and games. This scholarship meant a world of difference to him. He says he could have taken out student loans, but that just really didn't seem like a viable option to him.

Being a student-athlete means a lot to him. He thinks it's given him the opportunity to mature. "I wonder what a normal student does in their spare time - having no practice or road trips. Perhaps they play a lot of video games," Backstrom ponders.

The hockey season starts when the players are required to be back in Anchorage by the end of August and can run into April. The intense practices punctuated with road trips and busy school schedules can take a toll on them. Backstrom has already lost nine pounds this season. He explains that ironically, they are usually in their best shape and strongest in the off season when they can focus purely on training. At season end most players take a few weeks off to relax but return to a rigorous training schedule to stay in shape for the next season so they can be their best. This translates to working out a couple hours a day for five or six days a week.

Some say being an athlete during school is a tough load. He agrees that "the first semester was hard to get used to until you get your rhythm." And what does he do when he does get that rare moment of free time? "Hang out with friends. Play video games," he says with that fun-loving smile.

Backstrom is now a senior and will be graduating this May with a double major in management and marketing; he currently has a GPA of 3.35. He's not sure exactly what he wants to do career wise. He'd like to stay in America and continue playing hockey if that works out in the professional league, but he has a very realistic outlook. "I think hockey is fun, but it's not the only thing in life. At some point it will be time to move on to other things." So, he has applied for a few master's programs back in Sweden, just to be prepared.

Coach Shiak says, "He has certainly represented the university well both off and on the ice. The fact that he is going to graduate on time in only four years with a double major and as a Division I athlete is a testament to his ability and character. He is good at time management and can also have fun at the same time, which is part of the college experience. Whatever he chooses to do in life I think he'll do very well."

Before UAA, Backstrom played four seasons of junior hockey in his native Sweden. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2004 NHL Entry draft and attended two of their summer camps but after getting injured they dropped him. He's not too disappointed though, since there are scouts regularly watching the players they think have potential. He says, "The best thing I can do is just focus on the right now - those moments I am playing for my team and for UAA - if I play well it will be noticed."

At the end of last season, Backstrom had made a career-high four goals and four assists for eight points in 34 games. He also scored the final goal at home against Fairbanks, helping UAA to its third consecutive Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup title. He has earned Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic Team and Scholar-Athlete honors and currently sits in the top 40 on the UAA all-time defensemen scoring list.

This season the Seawolves are seeded at No. 9 in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. The team is traveling to Wisconsin to play the No. 2 seeded University of Wisconsin on Friday, March 12.

Although he loves hockey and appreciates all his opportunities to play, he knows it might not go on much longer than his college career. Even not having a clear-cut path for his future, he still talks about it with anticipation. This 23-year-old's great attitude will likely create plenty more options for him.

Backstrom feels thankful to the whole university for giving him this opportunity. He thinks any of the international students must really appreciate the great chance to play sports while attending school. He is especially thankful for all of the coaching staff who is so supportive and helps the players keep their priorities in focus.

Asked if he has any regrets, he says, "Ask me on my deathbed, maybe I'll have an answer then... when I'm ready to confess." And then The Swede unleashes a charming smile that lets you know such a confession would undoubtedly be very interesting.