Player profile – Right Wing Sean Bachman

BOISE, Idaho – One of the latest newcomers to the Idaho Steelheads is Sean Backman.   Backman was recently reassigned to the Steelheads from the Dallas Stars of the NHL.   He opened the season with the AHL Texas Stars appearing in eight games, posting a goal and assist with the team.   He skated in his first game with the Steelheads on Wednesday night earning an assist in the 2-1 shootout loss against Stockton.   Backman is a Yale graduate, earning a degree in Political Science, while garnering Player of the Year 09-10 accolades as a member of the Bulldogs Ivy League team. He appeared in 122 games while at Yale, posting 77 goals and 49 assists making him number seven on the school’s career point list.   As a child, Backman began playing hockey at about eight years old in the local leagues of Greenwich, Connecticut.   His junior career took him to Green Bay Gamblers, before his acceptance to Yale’s ECAC program   It could be stated that hockey is in his genes, his dad, Mike Backman played professional hockey in the late 70s and early 80s, including a three year stint with the New York Rangers.    Sean said he gets lots of advice from his dad.  The 5’9”, 175 pound right winger doesn’t really fit the hockey player stereotype.   But, like his dad told him, the game has changed a lot over the years.     He believes “a guy that’s 5’9” has a better chance of furthering his career; speed and skill, and since some of the rules have changed, a guy like me can get loose.”   Although it seemed Backman was doing well with the AHL Texas Stars, he was sent down to the ECHL to get more ice time.   He enjoyed his time in Texas, and could see the vast differences between the levels of play, and learned a lot. He looks forward to earning another opportunity.     Steelheads Coach Hardy Sauter is very impressed with Backman’s skills.   Since Bachman has only been with the team for a few shorts days, Sauter is impressed with his attitude since his arrival.   “He really hasn’t practiced with us and hasn’t had a chance to go over special teams. He’s a very good skater. I like his hockey sense. He came here and didn’t pout; he just dug in and worked hard.   He’s played really well and hopefully the more comfortable he gets, the more he contributes,” said Sauter.   Backman has earned a reputation as a hard playing, move to the net forward.   He knows that the more you shoot, the better the chance is to score and that’s his game.   Backman has received advice from several players over his short career.   When asked to share some of the best advice, he was quick to repond with the words that Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Lightning gave him just before the season started.    “I was at the Dallas training camp and we were talking before a pre-season game. He told me to always play your game.”   Backman said he respected that advice, since a guy like St. Louis has been in the game for several years and by ‘playing his game’, has became successful.     Training camp was a new experience for Backman, and he had great chances to meet many seasoned players.   “It was exciting to see all of those guys,” Backman said about the intimidating reality of the opportunity.   “I have been playing for this chance most of my life, so I just played my game.” He said casually.   For a young rookie, Backman seems to have a good head on his shoulders and has his future mapped out.   “The plan is to play as long as I can and then try to get involved in the management side of the sport, like maybe coaching, scouting or as a general manager.”     Watch for Steelhead’s Sean Backman to get another call-up, but in the meantime, he’ll be a primetime player that will help Idaho stay in the hunt for the season.   Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com