Ralph Backstrom was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association (WHA) during his career. He was born on September 18, 1937, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Backstrom started his hockey career in the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) with the Montreal Junior Canadiens in 1954. He played with the team for three seasons and won the Memorial Cup in 1956. In 1957, he joined the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and played with them for 13 seasons. During his time with the Canadiens, Backstrom won six Stanley Cup championships and was named to the NHL All-Star team four times.
In 1971, Backstrom was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played for two seasons. He then joined the Chicago Blackhawks for one season before retiring from the NHL in 1973. However, he continued to play professional hockey in the WHA for four more seasons with the Denver Spurs, Chicago Cougars, and New England Whalers.
Backstrom was known for his speed, skill, and versatility on the ice. He played both center and left wing positions and was a strong offensive player. He scored a total of 278 goals and 639 points in 1,032 NHL games and 98 goals and 238 points in 282 WHA games.
After retiring from hockey, Backstrom became a successful businessman and owned several car dealerships in Colorado. He also coached the University of Denver Pioneers hockey team from 1980 to 1994 and led them to two NCAA championships.
In 1986, Backstrom was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding career in the NHL. He was also inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Overall, Ralph Backstrom was a highly skilled and successful hockey player who made significant contributions to the sport during his career. His achievements on the ice and in business have made him a respected figure in the hockey community.
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