ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues announced on Twitter that they have signed former team captain David Backes to a one-day contract.
Backes was drafted by the Blues in the second round of the 2003 National Hockey League draft. Backes played for the organization from 2006 to 2016. He served as the 20th captain of the Blues from 2011 to 2016.
Backes wrote a heartfelt letter commemorating his career and announcing his retirement. He included his appreciation to the city of St. Louis for embracing him.
You can read the entire note to fans here.
“Following my last game, it was clear to me that I needed to retire as a member of the St. Louis Blues,” he wrote.
In a Zoom news conference with reporters, Backes said while the idea of playing in 1,000 NHL games had been a goal, the practical issues, like being able to find a team, and being healthy enough to stay on the ice were questions.
“I felt like the game was kind of done with me, and truthfully felt like I was mostly done with the game as well,” he said.