David Backes was drafted as 62nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. He made his NHL debut in St. Louis in 2006. In that 2006-2007 season, Backes skated in 49 games collecting 23 points. Even after his very first season, the Blues fell in love with him; at that point, they’d never have dreamt of facing him in a Boston Bruins jersey in the Stanley Cup Final.
During the season following his NHL debut, Backes has played in 72 games collecting 31 points. He made his first post-season appearance with the Blues in 2009.