Media: Can you believe Ovi is now the oldest player on the team?
Backstrom: *deadpan* Yeah, I can. *laughs* No, I just think it’s so cool that he got his own cereal.
Media: Have you tried it?
Backstrom: No, I haven’t tried it. But I asked him if he could bring some, because my kids want some. So, hopefully I’ll get it for free.
Media: Nick, going back to Ovi– oldest guy on the team you know.
Backstrom: *laughs* What’s that? Yeah, yeah.
Media: Going back to him, speaking to him earlier, he said you guys had been together since day one. What does your friendship with him mean to you?
Backstrom: It means a lot. I mean, I think he, he’s been, he meant a lot for me, especially the first couple years. Took me under his wing… and then, when we got older, I took him under my wing. *smiles* No, it means a lot, he’s a great guy, he’s so funny, I think… there’s never a boring day around that guy. It’s just the way he is.
Media: What did you say when you saw him after the bicycle accident?
Backstrom: *heavy sigh* The first thing I asked him, “did you wear a helmet?” He said, “yeah.” So… that’s Ovi. *laughs* Summer with Ovi.
Media: Has anyone, has a player ever gotten him so bad as the bicycle accident got him?
Backstrom: No, I think that was the worst I’ve seen him. *laughs* He’s gotta be careful. He should maybe just stick to hockey, right?
Holy shit, Nick cannot stop smiling fondly and laughing while talking about Ovi for a good chunk of his media day interview.
