Nicklas Bäckström Shines in 'Svarta mot vita' Match, Scores in Grand Return

Nicklas Bäckström marked a spectacular return to ice hockey during the annual 'Svarta mot vita' match on August 8, 2025, held in Gävle, where he scored almost immediately after stepping back onto the ice, much to the delight of approximately 7,000 fans in attendance. Having not played since October 29, 2023, Bäckström expressed immense gratitude to the Brynäs club, saying, “Man får gåshud. Det är en otrolig känsla. Brynäs har gjort mycket för mig, förhoppningsvis kan jag ge tillbaka. Jag är jätteglad att få vara en del av den här gruppen, jag är taggad.”

In the match, Bäckström's team, dressed in black, initially faced a setback, trailing 0-2. His goal in the first period, a well-executed volley, brought the score to 1-2, igniting hopes for his team. Despite Bäckström's impact, his side eventually lost to the white team with a final score of 8-4, which counted skills competition results as well. Johan Alcén, the sportchef, praised the atmosphere of the match, describing it as “Jättehäftigt. Vi är tacksamma!”

The upcoming SHL season is set to start on September 13, and Bäckström's return has reignited excitement among fans, further showcasing the anticipation for the league’s developments following this exhibition event.