CALGARY — Calgary Flames fans knew better than to be fooled by the ominous death stare Rasmus Andersson gave a front-row patron after scoring New Year’s Eve.
The reality is, he’s been pleased as punch with his lot in life since being told just before Christmas he would be playing for Sweden’s Olympic team. He just couldn't share it, until now.
“I found out about 10 days ago, so it’s been kind of hard to keep it to yourself,” beamed the 29-year-old Malmo native, when asked about his nation’s official Olympic roster unveiling Friday.
“Extremely proud. It’s definitely a dream come true.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted. It’s kind of nice that it’s out there now.”
Like most Europeans, his ultimate dream has long revolved around playing in the five-ring spotlight — a fantasy fueled by Sweden’s gold medal-winning shootout victory over Canada in the 1994 tourney.
“We’ve seen the game-winning goal probably 1,000 times in my life,” said Andersson of Peter Forsberg’s one-handed deke around Corey Hirsch, which was immortalized on a stamp.
“It’s something we grew up on. I was nine-years-old at the time. The memory really never leaves. Since that day I’ve always dreamed about playing in the Olympics for Sweden one day.
“Just the history around it. I kind of grew up on those ’06 clips, so it means the world to me. I’m extremely excited, and it’s going to be a lot of fun for sure. It means a lot.”
Adding to the accomplishment is the fact he’ll be carrying on a family tradition started by his father, Peter, who played alongside Borje Salming on Sweden’s 1992 Olympic team in France.
“He tells me stories about it now, more and more,” he smiled.
“It obviously makes it extra special he knows what I’m going to be going through. I can lean on him a little bit more than usual. I lean on him quite a bit already, so it makes it extra special. He says that’s one of the best memories of his career.”
As star-studded as Sweden’s blue line is, Andersson’s inclusion was widely expected. Not just because he was a 4 Nations participant and captain of Sweden’s World Championship team last spring, but because he’s bounced back this season to play what may be the best hockey of his career.
He’s been, without question, the Flames’ best player this season, scoring eight times, racking up 26 points and playing in every imaginable scenario to log a career-high 24:10 per game.
Andersson admits his excitement the last week-and-a-half has been tempered by news his longtime Flames teammate, Mikael Backlund, was not selected to the team.
“We’re really good friends, and as a friend I’m really sad for him,” said Andersson of the Flames’ 36-year-old captain.
“I know how much it would mean for him to go.
“You look at the hockey side, this is the best he’s played in a long time, if not the best he’s ever played. I would have loved to see him on the team, for sure, and I’m really sad he’s not on there.”
Backlund handled the news with typical class, and said he will remain on the reserve list and continue to go through Olympic drug testing protocols in case he’s summoned as an injury replacement.
“I felt like I’m probably playing my best hockey since I became captain and playing against the best players in the world every night, but Sweden has a lot of good players, it’s hard to make the team and I never expected it,” said Backlund, who captained Sweden to a world championship in 2018.
“It would have been a dream to go to the Olympics, and that’s why I was hoping for it. It’s disappointing and frustrating. It’s just hard when you really want to be there.”
Backlund’s teammates have rallied around their captain, offering endless words of support to cushion the blow, with his Flames coach going as far as to say Swedish officials erred in their decision.
“I think they made a mistake,” said Ryan Huska, whose captain is on a six-game point streak, sits plus-16 and is on pace to challenge career highs in goals and assists.
“I can say that because I believe in Mikael. He’s a guy we use in all situations against top players. He’s having one of his best years as a pro this year and I think he brings so much more to the table than what he just does on the ice.
“I’m disappointed for him. This would have been a wonderful opportunity for him and I do feel he would have been deserving to be there with Ras.”
The coach said the whole room is thrilled for Andersson.
“I didn’t think there was going to be any question he was going to be on that team,” said Huska, adding Andersson has had a “ridiculously good year in all aspects of his game."
“We’re very proud of him.
“We’ll be cheering for Canada, but cheering for Ras, if that makes sense.”
