Backes retires after signing 1-day contract with Blues

David Backes is hanging 'em up as a member of the St. Louis Blues.

The 37-year-old signed a one-day contract with his old team and announced his retirement Thursday.

St. Louis is where you belong anyway, @dbackes42. https://t.co/9ptjo8uAsj #stlblues pic.twitter.com/CIftP6HMXI

- St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 9, 2021

Backes was a second-round pick by the Blues in 2003 and spent the first 10 seasons of his career in the Gateway City. He was captain for his final five seasons in St. Louis, tying him with Chris Pronger and Barclay Plager as the second-longest-tenured captains in team history behind Brian Sutter.

The rugged 6-foot-3 forward enjoyed immense success with the Blues, averaging 23 goals and 29 assists per 82 games. He also received down-ballot Selke Trophy votes in his final seven seasons with the club, finishing as high as second in 2011-12. Backes ranks seventh on the franchise's all-time games played, goals, and points lists.

He left via free agency in 2016 and spent the final five years of his career with the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks.

Fittingly, the last game of his career came in St. Louis while he was with the Ducks. As expected, emotions ran high in his postgame interview.

On the international stage, Backes was a member of Team USA's Olympic squads at Sochi 2014 and Vancouver 2010 - where the Americans won silver.

He finished his career with 561 points in 965 games.

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