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Posted January 1st, 2010 at 3:34 p.m
"From Blaine, Minnesota...David Backes!" That's how the introductions of the athletes selected to the U.S. Men's Hockey team began this afternoon. The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver will feature several Minnesta athletes, 5 of whom will be on the U.S. Men's Hockey team. The most notable local is David Backes, RW of the St. Louis Blues and a former Spring Lake Park Panther, who had his H.S. jersey retired in a ceremony three years ago. He shared the vast majority of the schools' records, along with Addison DeBoer.
Olympic Athlete. How cool is that? Backes' career has taken a steep rise in the last four years, making the transition from Mankato State to the AHL and quickly to the NHL in December of 2006, recording an assist on his first NHL shift, then scoring his first NHL goal in the following game.
Backes' career continued on the rise in his 3rd NHL season when he recorded 31 goals and 23 assists while playing in all 82 games, a test to his durability in the 2008-2009 season. He also racked up a whopping 165 penalty minutes, a testament to his toughness. At the midway point of this season, Backes' has recorded 9 goals and 12 assists, and has earned his spot on an All-Star team of Americans in search of gold in Vancouver next month.
We wish David the best of luck and take pride, as his family does, in calling him our own. There is no doubt he will continue to make us proud. Yet another reason for me to shout, "U.S.A.!" I'm always looking for one...
Look out, Canadia
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