David Backes signs one-day deal with Blues, announces retirement from NHL
Former St. Louis Blues captain David Backes signed a one-day deal with the franchise on Thursday and subsequently announced his retirement from the NHL after a 15-year career.
"Following my last game, it was clear to me that I needed to retire as a member of the St. Louis Blues," Backes said in a post on the Blues website. "That night reiterated that St. Louis was my home. It is where my wife and I grew into adulthood and it was the organization we needed to retire with. The feeling was mutual with the Blues and I am so humbled that this journey has come full circle for me to end this amazing ride with the same organization that called my name at the draft 18 years ago."
The Blues selected Backes in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut for the franchise during the 2006-07 season and spent 10 years in St. Louis, tallying 460 points (206 goals, 254 assists) in 727 games.
Backes joined the Boston Bruins as a free agent after the 2015-16 campaign and spent three and a half seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
During his stint with the Bruins, the 37-year-old tallied 94 points (39 goals, 55 assists) in 217 games. He appeared in 21 games for the Ducks, tallying three goals and four assists.
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