InGoal Radio Episode 219 with Niklas Backstrom
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Niklas Backstrom, who joined the NHL at age 28 after 10 seasons of professional hockey in Finland, is now the Columbus Blue Jackets European goaltending coach and scout. In this InGoal Radio interview, Backstrom credits Finland's early adoption of position-specific goalie coaching for shaping his development, and explains how those roots now inform his approach as an NHL goaltending coach.
- Backstrom didn't reach the NHL until age 28, proving elite goaltending development can follow a non-traditional timeline.
- Finland's early investment in position-specific goalie coaching gave Backstrom a technical foundation he now applies as a professional coach.
- After retiring in 2019 following three post-NHL seasons in Finland, Backstrom transitioned into the Columbus Blue Jackets organization as their European goaltending coach and scout.
- Backstrom reached the Vezina Trophy runner-up and represented his country twice at the Olympics during a 10-season NHL career with the Minnesota Wild.
- The episode also covers the new Bauer GSX goalie equipment line, reviewed from The Hockey Shop Source for Sports.
Episode 219 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features former long-time NHL goalie, two-time Olympian, one-time Vezina Trophy runner up, and new Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom.
Feature Interview
presented by NHL Sense Arena
In the feature interview, presented by Sense Arena, Backstrom updates us on what he’s been doing as the Blue Jackets European goaltending coach and scout since finishing a 10-season NHL career and playing another three seasons in his native Finland before retiring in 2019. Backstrom also shares insights into a unique path to the NHL at age 28 and after playing 10 seasons of pro hockey in Finland, as well as his roots as a goalie growing up in a country that was ahead of the curve when it came position-specific teaching, and how it translates now to his work now as an NHL goalie coach.
Weekly Gear Segment
presented by The Hockey Shop Source for SportsAll that, plus a trip to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports for an overview of the new Bauer GSX line.
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