Backlund, a center for the Calgary Flames, has supported the ALS Society of Alberta in honor of his mother-in-law, who died from the disease. Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow has also been dealing with ALS for the past four years. Backlund and his wife have raised more than $400,000 for the nonprofit and have welcomed almost 100 families affected by ALS to home games.
Backlund also supports The Kids Cancer Care and Special Olympics Calgary. He had a childhood friend diagnosed with cancer and another who was born with Down syndrome, and has invited 500 guests to attend Flames games and meet with him afterward. Backlund and his wife partnered with Parachutes for Pets to create Lily's Legacy, named for their dog who died in 2021. The program allows children in foster care to keep their pets while they are transitioning into care.
He would be the first Flames player to win the award since Jarome Iginla in 2003-04.