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Center Backlund signs contract with Calgary Flames

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May 2, 2008

TORONTO (Reuters) - Swedish teenager Mikael Backlund, a first-round pick in the 2007 NHL draft, was secured on a contract by the Calgary Flames on Friday.

The six-foot, 194-pound (88kg) center, who helped his country clinch the silver medal at last year's world junior championship, has been playing for Swedish club Vasteras this season.

Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter said in a statement that Backlund was one of the best young centers in the world.

"He demonstrated at the world junior championships that he is in an elite class. I look forward to getting him here for development camp in July and main camp in the fall," he added.

Backlund, 19, led Vasteras in scoring during the 2008 playoffs with four goals and three assists in five games.

The 24th overall pick at last year's draft, he was the top goalscorer at the 2007 World Under-18 Championship.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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