David Backes, NHL All-Star, celebrates a goal the other night against Phoenix. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
It has been quite a year for Blues forward David Backes. Last year, he represented Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, for which he won a silver medal. Then, he has a new five year contract that begins next season, and now he’s learned he’s a NHL All-Star.
Backes will represent the Blues in the January 30th game in Raliegh, NC, home of the Carolina Hurricanes. Backes leads the Blues with 33 points on 12 goals and 21 assists. “It hasn’t sunk in that I’ve been chosen, It’s a dream come true, obviously.”
The NHL is adapting a new format for the All-Star game and it’s pretty cool. The league will do away with Eastern vs. Western Conference matchups. Instead, the 42 All-Stars will vote on two team captains, who will then hold a fantasy draft to select their teams with no regard to conferences. The fantasy draft will be televised live on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. on VERSUS.
