The Masterton Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner will be selected at the end of the regular season by the full PHWA's 31 chapters.
Backes, 37 (5/1/84), scored 3-1=4 points with four penalty minutes (PIM) in 15 games with Anaheim in 2020-21, his 15th NHL season and second with the Ducks.
Backes was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2018 as a member of the Boston Bruins. Backes was a leading participant in the Ducks' Player Meal Program last summer, helping the team provide 5,100 meals to UCI Medical Center while supporting local restaurants.
David and his wife Kelly founded Athletes for Animals in 2005 while they both attended college at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and have since supported a variety of animal welfare initiatives and philanthropic endeavors. Backes has teamed with other athletes to further the mission of Athletes for Animals to employ a model to help foster and save countless homeless pets, and helps organizations across North America by pairing athletes with shelters and granting funds to rescue groups in need.
Originally selected by St. Louis in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Backes has earned 248-313=561 points with a +64 rating and 1,148 penalty minutes (PIM) in 964 career NHL games with Anaheim (2020-21), Boston (2016-20) and St. Louis (2006-16). Backes was acquired from Boston with defenseman Axel Andersson and a first-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft for right wing Ondrej Kase on Feb. 21, 2020.
