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AHL Peoria Rivermen

Former Rivermen David Backes Named NHL All-Star

January 11, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Former Peoria Rivermen and current St. Louis Blues forward, David Backes, has been named to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his career, the National Hockey League announced today. This year's festivities will take place at RBC Center, home of the Carolina Hurricanes, from January 29-30. The SuperSkills will begin at 6 p.m. CST on Saturday, January 29 and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game will start at 3 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 30, both televised on VERSUS.

Backes began his professional career with the Rivermen during the 2005-06 season. He appeared in 12 games and posted 10 points (five goals, five assists) after he completed his final collegiate season at Minnesota State University - Mankato. He returned to Peoria to start the 2006-07 season and collected 13 points (10 goals, three assists) in 31 games before finishing the season with the Blues.

"David has been a key player for this team and he deserves this honor," said Blues Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Armstrong. "He's a true professional and the St. Louis Blues are proud to have him represent the organization at this year's All-Star Game."

Backes, 26, is currently in his fifth NHL season, all with the Blues, and has recorded a team-leading 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) to go along with 56 penalty minutes in 41 games this season. In 2009-10, the 6'3", 225-pound forward etched career highs in both hits (266) and assists (31) while tying for second on the team in both points (48) and assists in 79 games played. Also last season, Backes was selected to represent the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics, notching a goal and two assists in six games, helping Team USA capture the Silver Medal.

In 2008-09, he had a career-high 31 goals, 54 points and 165 penalty minutes including a goal and two assists in four playoff games. That year, Backes became the sixth player in Blues' history to score four goals in a game on April 2, 2009 at Detroit (5-4 W). In addition, along with Alex Ovechkin, he was one of two NHL players to register over 30 goals and 200 hits and the only player in 2008-09 to score over 30 goals and serve more than 150 penalty minutes. During his five-year career, Backes has appeared in a total of 323 games, amassing 189 points on 83 goals and 106 assists to go along with 463 penalty minutes.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota native was originally drafted by the Blues in the second round, 62nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

As previously announced, the NHL, working in conjunction with the National Hockey League Players' Association, replaced the traditional conference vs. conference format for the All-Star teams with a player draft that will determine the team rosters for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game as well as the SuperSkills. The January 28 NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft will be televised live on VERSUS in the U.S. at 7 p.m. CST.

A coin toss will decide first pick with the team captains, joined by their two alternate captains, alternately drafting the 36 remaining All-Stars through 18 rounds. Each team will consist of three goalies, six defensemen and 12 forwards total. For sake of fairness in the draft, the captain and alternate captains for each team will consist of two forwards and one defenseman. Also, to ensure that the final draft picks are true selections and not simply predetermined due to position requirements, each team's three goalies must be picked by the end of Round 10 and each team's six defensemen must be picked by the conclusion of Round 15.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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