Former Rivermen David Backes Named Blues 20th Captain
September 9, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
St. Louis Blues Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Armstrong along with Head Coach Davis Payne announced Friday the club has named former Peoria Rivermen David Backes the 20th captain in franchise history.
In addition, the club named Barret Jackman, who spent one game with Peoria in 2006-07, assistant captain along with Jamie Langenbrunner, Andy McDonald and Alex Steen.
Backes, 27, played in 43 games over parts of two seasons with the Rivermen and registered 23 points (15 goals, eight assists) and 57 penalty minutes over his AHL career.
Backes joins a Blues captaincy club that includes several National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Fame inductees such as Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Bernie Federko, Al MacInnis and Scott Stevens. Originally drafted by the Blues in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Backes has spent each of his five NHL seasons with the club dressing in 364 games and compiling 218 points including 102 goals and 116 assists to go along with 500 penalty minutes.
This past season, the 6'3, 225-pound forward posted a career year, tying career highs in goals (31) and assists (31) while etching new high marks in points (62) and plus/minus (+32) en route to earning his first NHL All-Star selection. In addition, Backes' +32 rating led all NHL forwards in 2010-11 and he became the first player in Blues history to finish a season with at least 30 goals, 30 assists and a +30 rating.
Jackman, 30, is the longest tenured current Blue entering his 10th season with the club. He currently ranks 5th on the Blues' all-time games played list among defenseman (517).
Langenbrunner, 36, joined the Blues via free agency this past summer and will be entering his 17th NHL season in 2011-12. He served as the captain of the New Jersey Devils from 2007-2011 as well as Team USA for the 2010 Olympic Games.
McDonald, 34, is entering his fourth full season with the Blues and his 11th NHL season overall. In 2010-11, he became the 23rd player in franchise history to reach 400 career points while with the club.
Steen, 27, is entering his third full season with the Blues and his 7th NHL season overall. He is coming off a career year in 2010-11, during which he tied a career high with five game-winning goals while setting new career marks in points (51) and assists (31).
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