Washington Capitals’ star centerman Nicklas Backstrom took to Swedish television on Thursday to participate in a video coaching segment produced for Viasat Sports. Backstrom provided savvy instruction on how to attack elite defenders while protecting the puck. 

Donning a stylish black suit and Washington Capitals gloves, Backstrom demonstrated protecting the puck to former Swedish Hockey League goalie, video coach and Viasat Sports analyst, Erik Ashoka Granqvist.

Backstrom demonstrated primary techniques for staying between the puck and the defender and protecting the puck from the defender’s stick-hand.

Backstrom returned to the public eye this week when he participated in a week-long training camp with other NHL players in his hometown of Gavle, Sweden. (More on the camp here.) He also participated in the Brynas IF annual “Black and White” game Thursday night in Gavle. Capitals’ prospect Christian Djoos also participated in the game. More on the game here.

Erik Granqvist is self-employed entrepreneur and active primarily as a hockey expert on television at Viasat and goalkeeper coach in Switzerland.

Viasat Sport was launched as a pan-Nordic channel in 1999.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps