Post by ds on Oct 9, 2009 14:02:32 GMT -5
From Minnesota to Vancouver
A Look at David Backes' Journey to the BuHL
By Iain Macintyre
Oct 9th '09
If you were to ask a professional hockey player when and where they first learned to skate and shoot, you'd expect to hear all the familiar cliches: "My Dad took me out back to the frozen pond, gave me a stick and it just felt natural" or "I knew I always wanted to be play hockey in the BuHL". Ask David Backes, a smalltown Minnesota boy, and the story's not quite the same. " I grew up in Spring Lake Park, about an hour outside of Minneapolis. Football and Baseball were far and above the more popular sports. Even Basketball, with the Timberwolves and Garnett. I mean, not to knock the North Stars or Saints - they're both great organizations with great teams - but hockey just never appealed to me personally." In fact, Backes hardly knew what hockey was nor how it was played until his senior years in at Spring Lake Park High School when a friend invited him out to play some shinny every weekend. "I don't think I really enjoyed it those first few times I played it - it was more like I was just good at it." After a few months of doing this, the enjoyment presumably picked up for the 15 year old Backes. He signed up for a tryout with his high school team and made the team right out of the gate.
For 3 years, David Backes led his high school team in nearly every individual statistic until in 2002, he was recruited by the Junior A Lincoln Stars of the United Stats Hockey League. After posting 90 points and 180 PIM in one and a half seasons, Backes was subsequently drafted by the Canucks in the middle of the 2nd round during the 2003 BuHL entry draft. However, he elected to attend Minnesota State University and play hockey there. "Like a lot of other kids, I was brought up thinking that acquiring an education was one the most important things I needed to have. I had decided, when I first started with the [Lincoln] Stars, that I was going to pursue a career in hockey, but I still definitely had my doubts about whether I could reach that goal and wanted to also stay true to what my parents had always taught me." However, pressure from the Canucks organization started to manifest itself on Backes' shoulders and his tenure at Minnesota State was halted at just 1 year. The Canucks wanted him to start with the Manitoba Moose right away and get him playing professional hockey to help his development. His first season with Manitoba turned out to be a success, as he was in the top 10 in most offensive categories. He also helped the team to the best record in the BuHL Farm league.
In the offseason, Backes was rewarded with a new 3 year, $2.4 million contract. Expected to lead the Moose back to the top of the league now that he had signed this new contract and was being given top line minutes, the pressure finally got to Backes. Through the first 20 games, Backes struggled to find the back of the net, or anything for that matter. The team was doing well, but Backes was being relegated to 2nd line/2nd PP units. Throw in the fact that GM Snyder had implemented a revolving door on the both the Canucks and Moose rosters, Backes was dealing with new linemates nearly every week. However, after the blockbuster deal that saw both Kesler and Dipietro leave for Penguins, Backes was turned to literally carry the team on his shoulders. And that he did. He brought his game to a new level, bringing his PPG to nearly an even 1.00 as well was elevating the entire teams level of intensity and play. After keeping a careful eye on Backes through this whole ordeal and seeing how the young man handled himself, GM Snyder and Coach Granato decided it was time to give the kid a shot. Needing an injection of heart and grit on the Canucks, Backes was thrust onto the scene, garnering top 6 minutes and even some PP time. The move seemed to pay off, as the Canucks drastically improved their play with him and the newly-acquired Sedin having increased roles.
When asked to describe his journey, the classy young Backes spoke with honesty and truth, "Looking back on it, there are definitely pros and cons to joining the organization so quickly, but I don't regret it. The organization and staff here have handled my situation very well and have been very generous to my family and I. I've been given every chance to succeed, playing with guys like Brownie, Hank and Pronger. I want to show this organization why I'm deserving of all this and help the team in any possible way I can, whatever role that may be in."
"Backes' point production may show differently, but the offensive side of his game is just a bonus," said Snyder, "What this kid brings to the team is determination, perseverance and heart - something we'd been lacking all season. We love this kid and can't wait to see what he can do with a full season." Neither can we.
- Iain Macintyre The Vancouver Sun
A Look at David Backes' Journey to the BuHL
By Iain Macintyre
Oct 9th '09
If you were to ask a professional hockey player when and where they first learned to skate and shoot, you'd expect to hear all the familiar cliches: "My Dad took me out back to the frozen pond, gave me a stick and it just felt natural" or "I knew I always wanted to be play hockey in the BuHL". Ask David Backes, a smalltown Minnesota boy, and the story's not quite the same. " I grew up in Spring Lake Park, about an hour outside of Minneapolis. Football and Baseball were far and above the more popular sports. Even Basketball, with the Timberwolves and Garnett. I mean, not to knock the North Stars or Saints - they're both great organizations with great teams - but hockey just never appealed to me personally." In fact, Backes hardly knew what hockey was nor how it was played until his senior years in at Spring Lake Park High School when a friend invited him out to play some shinny every weekend. "I don't think I really enjoyed it those first few times I played it - it was more like I was just good at it." After a few months of doing this, the enjoyment presumably picked up for the 15 year old Backes. He signed up for a tryout with his high school team and made the team right out of the gate.
For 3 years, David Backes led his high school team in nearly every individual statistic until in 2002, he was recruited by the Junior A Lincoln Stars of the United Stats Hockey League. After posting 90 points and 180 PIM in one and a half seasons, Backes was subsequently drafted by the Canucks in the middle of the 2nd round during the 2003 BuHL entry draft. However, he elected to attend Minnesota State University and play hockey there. "Like a lot of other kids, I was brought up thinking that acquiring an education was one the most important things I needed to have. I had decided, when I first started with the [Lincoln] Stars, that I was going to pursue a career in hockey, but I still definitely had my doubts about whether I could reach that goal and wanted to also stay true to what my parents had always taught me." However, pressure from the Canucks organization started to manifest itself on Backes' shoulders and his tenure at Minnesota State was halted at just 1 year. The Canucks wanted him to start with the Manitoba Moose right away and get him playing professional hockey to help his development. His first season with Manitoba turned out to be a success, as he was in the top 10 in most offensive categories. He also helped the team to the best record in the BuHL Farm league.
In the offseason, Backes was rewarded with a new 3 year, $2.4 million contract. Expected to lead the Moose back to the top of the league now that he had signed this new contract and was being given top line minutes, the pressure finally got to Backes. Through the first 20 games, Backes struggled to find the back of the net, or anything for that matter. The team was doing well, but Backes was being relegated to 2nd line/2nd PP units. Throw in the fact that GM Snyder had implemented a revolving door on the both the Canucks and Moose rosters, Backes was dealing with new linemates nearly every week. However, after the blockbuster deal that saw both Kesler and Dipietro leave for Penguins, Backes was turned to literally carry the team on his shoulders. And that he did. He brought his game to a new level, bringing his PPG to nearly an even 1.00 as well was elevating the entire teams level of intensity and play. After keeping a careful eye on Backes through this whole ordeal and seeing how the young man handled himself, GM Snyder and Coach Granato decided it was time to give the kid a shot. Needing an injection of heart and grit on the Canucks, Backes was thrust onto the scene, garnering top 6 minutes and even some PP time. The move seemed to pay off, as the Canucks drastically improved their play with him and the newly-acquired Sedin having increased roles.
When asked to describe his journey, the classy young Backes spoke with honesty and truth, "Looking back on it, there are definitely pros and cons to joining the organization so quickly, but I don't regret it. The organization and staff here have handled my situation very well and have been very generous to my family and I. I've been given every chance to succeed, playing with guys like Brownie, Hank and Pronger. I want to show this organization why I'm deserving of all this and help the team in any possible way I can, whatever role that may be in."
"Backes' point production may show differently, but the offensive side of his game is just a bonus," said Snyder, "What this kid brings to the team is determination, perseverance and heart - something we'd been lacking all season. We love this kid and can't wait to see what he can do with a full season." Neither can we.
- Iain Macintyre The Vancouver Sun