Nashville. There was a Swedish Grand Slam at the NHL Awards Gala in Nashville last night.
Erik Carlsson won his third Norris Cup, Linus Ullmark claimed his first Vezina Cup, and Mikael Backlund took his King Clancy’s Cup.
– It feels the same every time, many have said I will win this year, but it’s not something I take for granted, “EK65” says about me again winning the best comeback award in the league.
Three players were nominated in Sweden at Bridgestone Arena’s annual awards ceremony – and they all had to leave their musty old ice barn in central Nashville with the trophies in their arms.
For starters, Eric Carlsson won his third Norris Trophy – the league’s defender award.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected after a season in which he was the first defenseman in over 30 years to break the 100-point barrier, but the 33-year-old from Småland still holds the honour.
– I’ve done it before and I thought I was in control of everything that would happen and I told my wife I wasn’t that nervous, but when I went on stage and saw everyone in the audience, I was still. The body does something other than what the head wants on such occasions, and in fact, it was very nice to experience that feeling again, Eric says when he meets the media afterwards.
– To win for the third time, if not more, then quite a lot. Many have said I will win this year, but it is not something I take for granted or expect.
The question now is whether he will catch up with compatriot Niklas Lidström, who won seven for Norris before taking off his skates.
– Well, in that case I’ll probably have to go to his house and steal a couple of them, grinning “King Carl.”
– It’s not something I think about, but I aim to continue playing at the highest level. In my head, I feel like I belong here and as fun as it is to win prizes like this, it’s even more fun to think about the future.
For his part, Linus Ollmark became the third Swede in history – after Bill Lindbergh and Henrik Lundqvist – to win the Vezina Cup.
– It’s great to be remembered with Bill Lindbergh and Henrik Lundqvist, he notes.
– At the same time, it is a bit difficult to understand the size. I only see myself as a calm, positive and happy northerner, not as some kind of star. But once I stop and reflect back on all that I’ve been through, this will probably stand out as a very big bright spot.
No wild festivities await the elegantly dressed guard of Lugenvik.
– No, I’m just going to enjoy myself and try to make this sink in. It’s a little hard right now, says Linus, before hugging his wife Moa with the same intensity he usually hugs his partner Jeremy Swayman.
Western Calgary veteran Michael Backlund has reason to hug him, too, because he won the King Clancy Trophy—an award for leadership and humanitarian efforts.
– It’s not about winning prizes that I dedicate to charity, but of course it’s nice to get a little pat on the back like that, he says.
– I also thought it was a lot of fun to have a great Swedish evening. It’s like there have been some tough times for Swedish hockey for a while, so yeah, it’s fun to have something positive.
