David Backes is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 1, 1984, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in the state. Backes played college hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he was a standout player and team captain.
Backes was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blues in 2006 and quickly established himself as a physical and versatile forward. Backes was known for his strong two-way play, his ability to score goals, and his leadership on and off the ice. He was named team captain of the Blues in 2011 and held that position until he was traded to the Boston Bruins in 2016.
During his time with the Blues, Backes was a key player for the team and helped lead them to the playoffs in multiple seasons. He was also a member of the United States men's national ice hockey team and represented his country in several international tournaments, including the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
In 2016, Backes signed a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins. He played for the Bruins for four seasons, serving as an alternate captain for the team. Backes continued to be a physical and hard-working player, but injuries and age began to take a toll on his performance. He was eventually placed on waivers by the Bruins in 2020 and was later traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
Backes played his final NHL season with the Ducks in 2020-2021. He announced his retirement from professional hockey in October 2021, ending a career that spanned over 15 years. Backes finished his career with 248 goals and 312 assists in 965 NHL games. He was known for his toughness, his work ethic, and his commitment to his teammates and the game of hockey.
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