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Mikael Backlund’s National Hockey League career has been filled with ups and downs.

But in 2016-17, the Calgary Flames centre enjoyed one of his most consistent and productive campaigns to date which, despite being ousted in the Stanley Cup playoffs, is a positive he’s taking with him into the summer.

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“Going into the season, I pushed myself to get better and I wanted to be a leader for this team,” Backlund said. “I wanted to take that on. I wanted to be one of the top guys

“And I thought I finished the season off well. Getting the World Cup selection was a big boost for me too. I wanted to take another step.”

Backlund started the year by representing Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey, which motivated him through the first few months of the season, particularly December, January, and February, when he scored a combined 35 points (16 goals and 19 assists).

Skating with rookie Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolik as his flanks, the trio was one of the team’s most productive lines all year but also was trusted on the defensive end of the ice.