2.+Biography+of+an+Athlete+15

__**** By: Casey O.  ****__
 * __David Backes__ **

Even though David Backes is a very talented athlete for Ice Hockey not all people know a lot about him and his outstanding stories.

First, David Backes was a “late bloomer.” When David Backes was in high school he had never played a contact hockey game. But after a player got injured because of a cheap shot, it was David's only chance. After that game David quotes “  I was really nervous going into that game, but I knew that if I play smart and stay confident I would do great.” David prevailed and finished that game with three goals and one assist, winning that game 4 to 2. After that outstanding game he played juniors for two years, before getting drafted. "Until a couple of months before the draft, I had no clue that playing in the NHL was even a possibility. And then to be a second-round pick it really sparked my ability and my drive." David announces after getting drafted by Minnesota.

Next, David and his wife Kelly are part of a foster care for animals. David and his wife Kelly have fostered many abandoned pets, but no story touched there hearts more then the time the rescued a lost pug. David and his wife were cleaning out the garage when they found a lost pug. Soon discovering that she's pregnant. They wanted to take it in and adopt it but David and Kelly already had two dogs and two cats. So they were unable. The next day the mother pug went into labor they were caught off guard. Sadly the first puppy was stuck, they veterinarians had to perform and emergency C-section. Saving the new born pug and the eleven others from fatality. Soon after the birth the mother and all her pups were adopted. Thanks to the help of David and Kelly Backes.

Finally, David Backes had a unusual start in sports. Growing up in a Minneapolis suburb, Backes started playing hockey only because that's what all of his friends did in the winter. "Baseball season was over and we didn't know what to do next," he said. "Everyone was going to play hockey, so I joined them." David played baseball and hockey at Spring Lake Park High School, where he was All-State in hockey as a senior. His No. 5 was retired at the school in November 2007. His uniform is now hanging in the hall of Spring Lake High School for all to see.

In conclusion, even though David Backes is known around the world as a hockey master. His personal life has many amazing stories to share. I'm also positive that those stories will not be the last of his amazing journey!