By: Steve McClure | Follow me on Twitter / X @stmcclure1993
Happy 40th birthday to former Boston Bruins forward David Backes! Backes played for Boston from the 2016-17 through the 2019-20 seasons.
The 215-pound center was acquired by the Bruins in July of 2016, signing a five-year $30 million contract. He was one of the NHL’s higher profile free agents of that 2016 summer, leaving the St. Louis Blues organization after ten seasons with the club.
The two-time US Olympian arrived in Boston as the team’s second-line center, but over his last couple of seasons was dropped from the Bruins’ top six. Backes unfortunately battled a variety of injuries and health problems during his tenure, including diverticulitis and a number of concussions. Backes admits to having at least ten concussions over his 938-game career.
Over the course of his 217-game Bruins’ career, Backes scored 38 goals and assisted on 55 others for 93 total regular season points. In 33 Bruins playoff games, Backes managed a line of 5-7-12. Boston traded the veteran and a first-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Ondrej Kase in 2020.
David Backes was a three-time NHL All-Star, tallying 561 points—including 248 goals—over a sixteen-season professional career. During his tenure in Boston, Backes was a proponent for “Athletes for Animals,” which helps organizations across North America by pairing athletes with shelters and granting funds to rescue groups in need.
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