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Player's Profile

  • Name: David Backes
  • Position: RW
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 200 lbs
  • Birthdate: 1984-05-01
  • Eligible for Draft: 2003
  • Drafted: 2003
  • Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Acquired: 2nd round (#62 overall), 2003
  • Playing In: Pro

David Backes

Prospect Grade: 7.0 B  (About Prospect Grades)

Profile Contributed By: Kyle McMahon

History

2005-06: Set a career high with 42 points in his final year of NCAA play with Minnesota State – Mankato. At the conclusion of the college season, Backes signed with St. Louis and appeared in 12 games with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen. He performed very well in this brief stint, tallying 10 points in total.

2006-07: Backes’ stock improved by leaps and bounds in 2006-07. He began the year in the minors, and struggled with consistency at times, but despite this, he found himself in St. Louis for the second half of the season. He was given limited responsibility in the beginning, but his play improved continually, warranting more ice time. Goals started to come as a result, and by the end of the season Backes’ was one of the Blues’ better forwards.

Talent Analysis

A hard worker who is a dynamic playmaker, Backes uses his size to his advantage when carrying the puck. His skating ability is not greatly impressive, but he possesses a nose for the net. Standing 6’3, he is not afraid to get physical out on the ice and create space for himself by grinding it out along the boards. Backes is respectable in the faceoff circle, but has been used primarily on the wing in St. Louis.

Future

Backes appears to have established himself as a regular in the Blues’ lineup. He is definitely one of St. Louis’ best up and coming prospects, and appears to have a good career ahead of him. His first challenge will be to avoid the sophomore jinx in 2007-08.

Phil Laugher contributed to this profile.

Stats

Season Team                      GP G A Pts PIM +/-
2003-04 MSU - Mankato (NCAA) 39 16 21 37 66   
2004-05 MSU - Mankato (NCAA) 38 17 23 40 55
2005-06 MSU - Mankato (NCAA) 38 13 29 42 91
2005-06 Peoria (AHL) 12 5 5 10 10 +6
2006-p Peoria (AHL) 3 1 1 2 8 +3
2006-07 Peoria (AHL) 31 10 3 13 47 -10
2006-07 St. Louis 49 10 13 23 37 +6

 

Profile Last Updated: December, 10th 2007

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