"It ended up that the last game I played in the NHL was in St. Louis, an incredible memory that I will forever cherish. I was back in the place where it all began. The building had a new name, the seats and suites were all upgraded, the locker room was redone and the players had mostly all turned over. Yet the fans in the stands and the people around town and the organization were still warm, kind and claimed me to be one of their own. I was a St. Louis Blue. The night closed with a standing ovation, reminding me of that Cardinals game five years earlier. The current Blues lined up for handshakes. My wife and kids provided a video expressing love and support. My parents were able to make it down to celebrate the occasion. And the butterflies that were there at my first game flew back into my stomach and fluttered around before yielding to postgame tears of gratitude, peace and love." Backes said.
"Following my last game, it was clear to me that I needed to retire as a member of the St. Louis Blues. That night reiterated that St. Louis was my home. It is where my wife and I grew into adulthood and it was the organization we needed to retire with. The feeling was mutual with the Blues and I am so humbled that this journey has come full circle for me to end this amazing ride with the same organization that called my name at the draft 18 years ago." Backes said.
