Backes-Frederic Connection Comes Full Circle

BOSTON - Trent Frederic's life has certainly been whipped into a frenzy over the last 24 hours. The 20-year-old centerman was recalled from Providence on Monday and is set to make his NHL debut when the Bruins take on the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
The news, of course, led to countless text messages and phone calls - and a scramble to get his family to Boston in time for puck drop.
One of his friends was so excited that he Face-Timed Frederic to let him know that he was flying in for the game. And it was during that call that Frederic and his buddy realized just how much things would be coming full circle for the St. Louis native.

Frederic grew up as a big fan of the Blues and idolized David Backes, who played the first 10 seasons of his career in St. Louis, including the last five as the team's captain.
On Tuesday night, Frederic will have Backes riding alongside him as his right wing on the Bruins' third line.
"[My buddy] was like, 'That's crazy, you used to watch him growing up,'" said Frederic. "He was obviously one of the best players for the Blues when I was there. It's pretty crazy."
His fondness for Backes began building during Backes' rookie season with St. Louis in 2006-07. During a sponsor event after a Blues practice, Frederic was chosen to take a photo with a Blues player, which on that day just happened to be Backes.
"I think it's certainly humbling to see a kid [look up to me]," said Backes. "I think he was nine when we took that picture…from then to 12 years later, playing on a line with him, that's a small world. That's pretty cool. Hopefully that story line continues and we have a nice night together for his first game."

The storylines go even deeper. Being a part of the St. Louis hockey fraternity, Frederic became friendly with the Tkachuk family and often spent time at their home playing knee hockey with now fellow NHLers Matthew and Brady, whose father, Keith, was starring for the Blues.
During his rookie season, Backes lived with the Tkachuks and was a frequent participant in those mini hockey games.
"I remember when he was a rookie," said Frederic, whose parents, two brothers, sister, and close friend will be in attendance at TD Garden for his debut. "I was actually at the Tkachuk's house and I think he was living with them and we were playing knee hockey. That's kind of how we first got introduced with him and then he obviously built a name from there. Everyone knew who he was by then."
And just one more Backes-Frederic tidbit.
At one point during his tenure in St. Louis, Backes and his wife, Kelly, were interested in moving closer to the city and actually looked at the Frederic's family home, though they eventually settled elsewhere.
"Know his father, know of him, obviously being a prominent player from St. Louis," said Backes. "To get to share the ice for his first game, play on a line together…there's a lot of emotion and a lot of stuff trying to contain yourself in your first NHL game. He's a good kid with a good head on his shoulders.
"If I can give him a little direction, just let him do his thing, I think it will be a successful debut for him."

With all of those connections in mind, it's easy to see why Frederic looked up to Backes and began to model his game after the St. Louis center, who quickly became the heart and soul of that franchise.
"Growing up in St. Louis, he was the best player from your hometown team, so that's something that I tried to play like," said Frederic. "[People] were like, 'You kind of look like David Backes.' And I liked him, so that's kind of how I got the comparison to him. Hopefully I can live up to that or something close to that."
Backes certainly sees the similarities, particularly when it comes to style and size. With Backes checking in at 6 foot 3, 215 pounds and Frederic at 6 foot 2, 203 pounds, the two like to play a strong, straight-line game.
"I think he's a big kid, no question. I think we've got size in common. He's playing center ice which I did earlier in my career," said Backes. "We see the game the same way: outwork your opponent, be stronger, win more battles and have the opportunities and quantity, and the law of averages will pay off in the long run."
The hope is that all of that equals some instant chemistry, though for now Backes is just happy to do everything he can to make Frederic feel comfortable as he finds his way in the NHL.
"You get that opportunity to live out your dream and play in the NHL and then to play with some guys you watched growing up makes it a little more special," said Backes, who had a similar situation in St. Louis with Team USA stalwarts Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, and Tkachuk. "That has a lasting impression. You get to watch those guys practice every day and see their habits and that gets to be ingrained in you as well.
"Time to not just be a father to my kid, but be a role model to the young guys as well…maybe this is an opportunity along the way to pay that forward a little bit."