Blaine/Minnesota State Mankato
Age: 29
Height/weight: 6-3, 221
Position: Forward
Olympic experience/Sochi stats: Second (2010)/ 3 goals, 1 assist.
Twitter handle: @dbackes42
Bio: The St. Louis Blues captain could well become the captain of the Olympic team, too, thanks to his leadership skills and stout all-around game. Backes was considered a lock to make the team since last summer, when he was among five players appointed to the leadership group of the American player pool. A star at Spring Lake Park High School, he once aspired to be a patent attorney; he now has a pilot's license and founded an animal rescue group. Backes has played in four world championships and gives the U.S. team grit, determination and versatility.
David Backes
February 23, 2014 at 3:33PM
about the writer
Lindsey Vonn 's defiant bid to win the Winter Olympic downhill at the age of 41, on a rebuilt right knee and a badly injured left knee, ended Sunday in a frightening crash that left her with a broken leg and saw her taken to safety by a rescue helicopter for the second time in nine days.
