Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today that centre Mikael Backlund has been assigned to the Abbotsford Heat (AHL). Defensemen Brendan Mikkelson has also been sent to Abbotsford for a conditioning assignment.

Backlund, a native of Vesteras, Sweden, has played a career high 32 games this season with the Flames. He has four goals and four assists for eight points and 10 penalty minutes. Backlund was Calgary’s 1st round pick (24th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

MIKAEL BACKLUND – CENTRE

BORN: Vesteras, SWE

DATE: March 17, 1989

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 190 lbs.

SHOOTS: Left

DRAFTED: CGY – 1st round (24th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft

Mikkelson, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, has played 15 games with the Flames this season after being claimed off waivers on October 19. Mikkelson was originally drafted by Anaheim in the 2nd round (31st overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

BRENDAN MIKKELSON – DEFENSE

BORN: Regina, SK DATE: June 22, 1987

HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 202 lbs.

SHOOTS: Left

DRAFTED: ANA – 2nd round (31st overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft

HOW ACQUIRED: Claimed off waivers on October 19, 2010