By the Numbers: David Backes’ Legacy Wearing #42 in St. Louis
Where It All Started
When David Backes first pulled on a St. Louis Blues sweater, there was no big announcement about a future captain. He was a second-round pick who had to earn his spot the hard way, and that mindset never left him. By the time he made his NHL debut in the 2006–07 season, it didn’t take long for fans to notice number “42”. He skated with purpose, finished every check, and played like someone who understood that nothing in this league is given.
A Style That St. Louis Fans Could Trust
Over ten seasons in St. Louis, Backes became a player fans could rely on without even thinking about it. He appeared in 727 regular-season games, scoring 206 goals and 460 points, but his real value showed up in the grind of an 82-game season. Need someone to go to the net? Backes. Need energy after a slow start? Backes. Nearly 1,000 penalty minutes came from being involved, not reckless. Backes played a heavy game, and Blues hockey felt heavier because of it.
Leading Without the Spotlight
When Backes was named captain in 2011, it felt like a natural progression rather than a surprise. He wasn’t flashy or dramatic, and that was the point. Wearing the “C” with number “42”, he led through consistency and accountability. Under his watch, the Blues became a regular playoff team, reaching the postseason five straight times and pushing all the way to the Western Conference Final in 2016. Teammates followed him because he never asked anyone to do something he wasn’t already doing himself.
4-Goal Game: The Nights That Sticks With Fans
Every hockey fan has their Backes moments. The four-goal game in 2014–15 (6-0 St. Louis victory) still comes up in conversations, and for good reason. But just as memorable were the smaller plays—the big hit early in a rivalry game, the screen on a greasy power-play goal, or the defensive-zone faceoff late with a one-goal lead. Those were the moments where Backes made his living, and they added up over time.
Why Backes and #42 Matters in St. Louis Hockey History
Backes left St. Louis after the 2015-16 season and continued to wear number “42” in Boston (before moving on to the Anaheim Ducks in 2019-20). When he signed a one-day contract in 2021 to retire as a Blue, it felt right. For Blues fans, number “42” isn’t just a jersey number. It’s a reminder of a Blues captain who played honest hockey, embraced the city, and gave St. Louis exactly what it asked for—every single night.