David Backes Belongs in the St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

It feels wrong to say that one deserves it over others, but fans should vote for former captain David Backes.

The Case For Backes

When Blues fans think about the players who best represented the franchise during the difficult seasons leading up to winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, Backes should be near the top of the list. He is not the only one. Keith Tkachuk, Brian Elliott, and Barret Jackman all played key roles on Blues teams that fell short of capturing Lord Stanley, but Backes is the only one of these three who was chosen to be the captain.

Backes may not have possessed the offensive numbers like Brett Hull, or even the career longevity of some of the franchise’s other greats. He did not dominate the NHL scoring race and will never be a candidate for the Hockey Hall of Fame. However, the Blues’ Hall of Fame is more than statistics. It is about those who left a mark on the franchise, the city, and the fans.

That is why fans should vote for Backes.

Arrival in St. Louis

Backes was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Blues. In the Blues’ system, he developed into a two-way player who played a physical game. His first two seasons saw him reach double-digit goals, showcasing he could be a force in the offensive zone.

Alongside T.J. Oshie, David Perron, and Patrik Berglund, Backes was part of a youth movement that gave fans hope that brighter days were ahead for the organization. The Blues had not made the playoffs in the post-lockout era. The Minnesota native helped turn the team into a consistent playoff contender.

In just his third season, Backes scored 31 goals in 82 games, helping the Blues reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One of the memorable moments of the season saw the forward score four goals in a late-season game against the Detroit Red Wings, a game the Blues needed to win and did so behind Backes’ heroics.

The following season, Backes was chosen to play for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In 2010-11, he scored another 31 goals and was named to his only All-Star Game. That same season, the Blues traded captain Eric Brewer. While the team finished the rest of the season without a captain, it was clear Backes was a frontrunner to wear the “C” the following season.

The Captain

Indeed, Backes was named captain before the 2010-11 season. He would wear the “C” for five seasons. During that time, he became synonymous with the identity of Blues hockey. He played with an edge, finished checks, went into the difficult areas of the ice, and was not afraid to stand up for his teammates.

He was not a captain who showed up on the lineup card. He led by example. When Ken Hitchcock took over as head coach early in the 2011-12 season, he transformed the team into an elite defensive team. Backes led the way, finishing in the top five of Selke voting in four straight seasons. The Blues became known for their physical style, defensive responsibility and relentless work ethic, and their captain was a perfect representative of that identity.

The Best Ride…and the Last

During Backes’ tenure, the closest the Blues got to the Stanley Cup was during the 2016 Playoffs. The team reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2011. Backes scored seven goals in 20 playoff games, including two overtime-winning goals.

The last game of the Blues’ playoff run, a 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, ended up being the last game Backes played wearing the Blue Note. He signed with the Boston Bruins over the summer, ending an era in St. Louis.

Fans, including myself, got the opportunity to say goodbye to the now-former captain the night his signing was announced. Backes attended a St. Louis Cardinals game, which was shown on the jumbotron. Busch Stadium gave him a standing ovation, giving him the appreciation he deserved.

The Blues have always valued players who embrace the community and understand what it means to play in St. Louis. Backes did that. He was heavily involved in charitable work and became an important figure away from the rink. His wife, Kelly, was also deeply involved in charitable efforts during their time in St. Louis. Even after leaving for Boston and even after his playing career, they continued to participate in St. Louis community events.

Backes did not stop at being a Blue. He was part of the St. Louis community. That is something that a team’s Hall of Fame should look to recognize.

Backes Belongs in the Hall

Backes may not have won the Stanley Cup with the Blues, but he did lay the foundation for the team that did finally win. For many seasons, Backes battled through games, dropped the gloves when necessary, crashed the net, killed penalties, scored big goals, and led his teammates. The players he led – Alex Pietrangelo, Alexander Steen, Vladimir Tarasenko, etc. – became the leaders when he left and brought the Stanley Cup to St. Louis in 2019.

He was a captain. He was a leader. He was a community ambassador. For nearly a decade, he was one of the faces of the Blues. That’s why Blues fans should vote Backes into the team’s Hall of Fame.