David Backes grateful for 'amazing' time with Blues

David Backes is from Blaine, Minn., but has called St. Louis home since joining the St. Louis Blues during the 2006-07 season.
After the 32-year-old center signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Boston Bruins on Friday, he was emotional about moving on from St. Louis with his wife, Kelly, and 1-year-old daughter, Stella, leaving the only NHL organization he has known.

"I will remember my time playing in St. Louis with the amazing people, relationships I built, the faithful diehards who support the team and how this devoted community embraced the philanthropic work my wife and I do," Backes said in a statement on Twitter. "All of those amazing qualities make our family proud to call St. Louis home. I cannot imagine a better place to play hockey, grow as a person and build a family over the last 10 years."

Backes was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round (No. 62) of the 2003 NHL Draft and played 727 regular-season games and 49 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Blues in 10 seasons. He had 45 points in 79 regular-season games last season and seven goals and 14 points in 20 playoff games, helping the Blues reach the Western Conference Final.