ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues Sr. V.P. & General Manager Larry Pleau announced today the team has signed 2003 second round pick, 62nd overall, David Backes to an NHL contract beginning for the 2006-07 season. Backes will join the Peoria Rivermen for the remainder of the season as an amateur tryout.

Backes, 21, just completed his junior year at Minnesota State University- Mankato. He skated in 38 games registering 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) tying him for 12th in the WCHA and tying him for first on the team. He ranked first on the Mavericks with 29 assists and was second with 91 penalty minutes.

The 6-3, 200-pound forward earned Minnesota State-Mankato MVP honors after playing in 38 games, recording 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) while being named to the All Western Collegiate Hockey Association Third Team during his sophomore season in 2004-05.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota native has appeared in 115 career games for Minnesota State University-Mankato collecting 119 points (46 goals, 73 assists).