David Backes

1.1. Childhood and education

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, David Backes grew up in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. He played three seasons of prep hockey for Spring Lake Park High School, graduating in 2002. During his senior year, Backes was recognized as All-Conference, All-Metro, and All-State, and was a finalist for the 2002 Minnesota Mr. Hockey award. His high school team included future Minnesota Wild forward Jarod Palmer, and he was joined on the Star Tribune's All-Metro First Team by future college teammate Travis Morin of the Dallas Stars. In recognition of his contributions, Spring Lake Park High School retired his number 5, which now hangs at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota.

Backes pursued higher education, graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2014 with an applied organizational studies degree, focusing on nonprofit leadership. He had initially studied to become an electrical engineer.

1.2. Junior and college hockey

After his high school career, Backes spent parts of two seasons in junior hockey with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. In 2003, he was named to the All-USHL First Team. His performance led to him being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round, 62nd overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to joining the Blues, Backes played three seasons of college hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato with the Minnesota State Mavericks. During his collegiate career, he earned several accolades, including being named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team in 2004, the All-WCHA Third Team in 2005, and the All-WCHA Second Team in 2006. He was also a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, he was recognized as a AHCA West Second-Team All-American and was selected for the ESPN Academic All-America First Team. Following his third and final college season, the Blues signed him, and he began his professional career with their AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, playing 12 games in the 2005-06 season.

2.1. St. Louis Blues (2006-2016)

Backes started the 2006-07 season with the Peoria Rivermen in the AHL. He made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues on December 19, 2006, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just 44 seconds into the game, he recorded his first NHL point, a second-assist on a Doug Weight goal. Two days later, Backes scored his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings. He completed his rookie NHL season with 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists) in 49 games for the Blues, while also recording 13 points (10 goals and three assists) in 31 games with Peoria. Among NHL rookies who played at least half the season, Backes ranked 13th in points per game at 0.47.

In the 2007-08 season, Backes played his first full NHL season, tallying 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists). As a restricted free agent in the 2008 off-season, he signed a three-year, 7.50 M USD offer sheet with the Vancouver Canucks, which the Blues quickly matched, keeping him in St. Louis through the 2010-11 season. With his new contract, Backes significantly improved his offensive output in the 2008-09 season, recording 54 points, including a career-high 31 goals. He also accumulated 165 penalty minutes while playing all 82 games for the first time. On April 2, 2009, he scored a career-high four goals in a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Backes' efforts helped the Blues reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004, though they were swept by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, with Backes contributing one goal and two assists.

His offensive production slightly decreased in the 2009-10 season to 48 points (17 goals and 31 assists) in 79 games. Following the retirement of Keith Tkachuk, Backes was named an alternate captain for the 2010-11 season. On November 12, 2010, he signed a five-year, 22.50 M USD contract extension, securing his place with St. Louis through the 2015-16 season. Leading the Blues in scoring, he was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2011. Selected 33rd overall by Team Staal, he recorded three assists in an 11-10 loss to Team Lidstrom. Backes finished the season matching his personal best of 31 goals, adding 31 assists for a career-high and team-leading 62 points over 82 games, and achieved a +32 plus-minus rating.

After captain Eric Brewer was traded, Backes was chosen as the 20th captain in St. Louis Blues history on September 9, 2011. In the 2011-12 NHL season, he scored 24 goals and 30 assists in 82 games. Backes was also a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2012, an award given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

During the 2015-16 NHL season, Backes contributed 21 goals and 24 assists, helping the Blues reach their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2001. In the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he scored seven goals and seven assists.

2.2. Boston Bruins (2016-2020)

After ten seasons with the Blues, including five as captain, David Backes left as a free agent and signed a five-year, 30.00 M USD deal with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2016.

On November 22, 2016, Backes scored a power-play goal that marked the Bruins' 20,000th goal in NHL history, a milestone only previously achieved by their rival, the Montreal Canadiens.

At the start of the 2017-18 NHL season, Backes was diagnosed with a diverticulitis infection, causing him to miss the first five games. He returned to play on October 19, but a re-evaluation after his October 30 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets determined he needed surgery to remove part of his colon. The operation was performed on November 2, with an estimated eight-week recovery period. Backes was suspended for three games on March 7, 2018, for interference against Detroit Red Wings player Frans Nielsen. On March 17, 2018, he suffered a skate cut above his knee from Yanni Gourde of the Tampa Bay Lightning, requiring 17 stitches and time off the ice. Backes returned to play on March 29. Prior to his return, he was nominated as the Bruins' candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

On December 27, 2018, Backes delivered an illegal hit to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Blake Coleman, resulting in a three-game suspension and a forfeiture of 219.51 K USD as a repeat offender. In the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, Backes faced his former team, the St. Louis Blues. The Bruins ultimately lost to the Blues in seven games. Backes played in 15 playoff games during Boston's run, tallying two goals and three assists.

2.3. Anaheim Ducks (2020-2021)

On February 21, 2020, Backes was traded by the Bruins to the Anaheim Ducks, along with prospect Axel Andersson and a 2020 first-round pick, in exchange for Ondřej Kaše.

His final NHL game was played on May 5, 2021, against his former team, the St. Louis Blues, where he received a standing ovation.

2.4. Retirement

On September 9, 2021, David Backes formally announced his retirement from professional ice hockey by signing a one-day contract with the St. Louis Blues, allowing him to retire as a member of the team he had captained.

6.1. Regular season and playoffs

6.2. International