ABOUT

Before his jump into the NHL, David enjoyed decorated high school and collegiate careers. At Spring Lake Park High School, Backes was named a finalist for the 2002 Minnesota 'Mr. Hockey' and his retired number 5 is proudly displayed inside Fogerty Arena.

David soon made the leap to junior hockey where he logged impressive numbers over two seasons for the Lincoln Stars. During his two seasons in the USHL, he totaled 90 points in 87 games and was voted a 2002-03 USHL First Team All-Star.

Backes was selected 62nd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He continued his development on the ice and inside the classroom at Minnesota State University-Mankato. David was named to the 2005-06 ESPN Academic All-American First Team along with 2005-06 Men’s Division I West All-America Second Team honors. He graduated with an applied organizational studies degree with an emphasis in nonprofit leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2014.

Since bursting on the scene as a rookie in 2006-07, David Backes has gone on to establish himself as one of the NHL's preeminent power forwards. After recording an assist in his NHL debut with the Blues on December 19, 2006, Backes has continued to bring consistent, two-way play to the table. Hailed for his determination and physicality, Backes is a versatile forward who is equally capable lining up at center or on the wing. His game is predicated on aggressive play on both ends of the rink. David excels at shutting down big-name opposition across the league and is known for an opportunistic nose around the net. He has recorded five-straight 20 goal seasons excluding the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.

During his final playoffs with the Blues, Backes recorded 14 points in 20 playoff games and led St. Louis to their first Western Conference Final appearance since 2001. After a decade in St. Louis, Backes became a sought-after free agent. He penned a five-year deal to join the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2016.

David has proudly represented the United States on the world stage, most recently at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He competed on three American teams at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships. He was a member of the inspirational 2010 U.S. Olympic roster which claimed the silver medal at the Vancouver games and the 2014 U.S. Olympic team that finished fourth in Sochi.

Away from the ice, David and wife Kelly are highly active in animal rescue efforts and pet adoption drives. Together, they launched animal welfare organization Athletes For Animals in November 2013. David received his private pilot's license in 2012. The Backeses welcomed daughter Stella to world in June 2015.