Columbus, OH – The Calgary Flames selected five players (three forwards and two defensemen) at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio during the seven round selection process.

On Friday evening, the Flames selected centre Mikael Backlund from Vasteras, Sweden in the first round with the 24th overall pick. NHL Central Scouting lists Backlund as a smart centre with excellent speed…soft hands and a high-end passing ability…sees the ice well and has good hockey sense...has a strong shot and a nose for the net.

Backlund helped Team Sweden to a bronze medal at the 2007 Under-18 World Championships, defeating Canada 8-3. He was also the leading goal-scorer (7) at the 2007 Under-18 World Championships. Backlund is not new to Calgary as he was named most valuable player at the 2006 Mac's Midget Tournament as part of team Sweden.

MIKAEL BACKLUND (C)
Drafted: 1st round (24th overall)
HT: 6’0” WT: 194 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: Vasteras, SWE (March 17, 1989)

2006-07 Regular Season Statistics

JOHN NEGRIN (D)
Drafted: 3rd round (70th overall)
HT: 6’2” WT: 195 lbs. Shoots: Left
Born: West Vancouver, BC (March 25, 1989)

2006-07 Regular Season Statistics

KEITH AULIE (D)
Drafted: 4th round (116th overall)
HT: 6’6” WT: 208 lbs. Shoots: Left
Born: Regina, SK (June 11, 1989)

2006-07 Regular Season Statistics

MIKEY RENAUD (C)
Drafted: 5th round (143rd overall)
HT: 6’2” WT: 217 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: Tecumseh, ON (October 5, 1988)

2006-07 Regular Season Statistics

C.J. SEVERYN (LW)
Drafted: 7th round (186th overall)
HT: 6’0” WT: 185 lbs. Shoots: Left
Born: Beaver, PA (June 2, 1989)

2006-07 Regular Season Statistics

• 1st rd (24th) MIKAEL BACKLUND (Vesteras - SWE)
• 3rd rd (70th) JOHN NEGRIN (Kootenay – WHL)
• 4th rd (116th) KEITH AULIE (Brandon – WHL)
• 5th rd (143rd) MIKEY RENAUD (Windsor – WHL)
• 7th rd (186th) C.J. SEVERYN (US National Under-18 – NSDP)