CALGARY - Mikael Backlund can catch another one of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla's franchise records and looks forward to playing in Calgary's new arena after signing a two-year contract extension with the Flames.

Backlund is entering the final season of a two-year, US$9-million deal. The captain's $6.5-million extension announced Wednesday will keep him a Flame until 2028 when he turns 39.

Backlund has spent his entire 1,066-game NHL career in Calgary and is the longest tenured active skater on the Flames.

"To represent one team, it feels so special and there's no other team I wanted to play for," Backlund said Wednesday at the Saddledome with his wife Frida and two young children in attendance.

"My family didn't want to move anywhere. We want to stay here. We want our kids to gr

See Full Page