David Backes Signs One-Day Contract With St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues have signed David Backes to a one-day contract. This will allow him to retire as a member of the team he's most remembered playing for.

We've signed David Backes to a one-day contract.

Now that @dbackes42 is a Blue again, he has some news to share. #stlblues 👇 https://t.co/9ptjo8uAsj
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 9, 2021

Backes was selected 62nd overall by the Blues during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He would go on to play 10 seasons with the team and was captain for five of them. He became a fan favorite there because of not only his offensive contributions, but extremely hard style of play. He also was an All-Star during the 2011 season and a Selke Trophy Finalist the following year.

Backes signed with the Boston Bruins during the 2016 off-season, but was never quite able to replicate the success he had in St. Louis. He eventually found himself out of the Bruins' starting lineup and was then dealt to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2019-20 season. In 15 games this past season with the Ducks, he scored three goals and added an assist.

In 965 career games between the Blues, Bruins and Ducks, Backes had 248 goals, 313 assists and 561 points. Overall, that's a very solid NHL career.

This is a very kind gesture by the Blues and it feels right that Backes is retiring there.