I tried. I tried to resist. I tried to resist as long as I could. But as they say in The Borg: Resistance is futile .

How could I resist, you ask? Well, before I started writing this post, all I really knew is that he played for St. Louis, had a strong chin, and liked to punch my boyfriend in the face.

Which made me feel all:

However, I did a bunch of research and now I’m all:

David was not Der Hockeywunderkind (* German word for hockey prodigy, probably).  He was a big fish in a small pond.

In high school,  he was named All-Conference, All-Metro, All-State, yada yada yada. But it wasn’t until 2003, his second year of eligibility, that he was drafted in the 2nd round by St. Louis, 62nd overall. Hockey was a back up plan, and he spent 3 years in college studying electrical engineering… with a 4.0 GPA.

I couldn’t even find a picture without a watermark.

It wasn’t until December 2006 that he played his first NHL game, and even then he was a slow starter. He bounced back and forth to the minors a few times and in 2008, as an RFA, he signed an offer sheet with the Vancouver Canucks (*rageshudder*), but the Blues matched it, thank GOD, or this post would not be happening.Fast forward to 2011 though, and *announcer voice* ladies and gentlemen, please welcome you team captain! Number 42! David Backes!

He hasn’t been super productive, points-wise, this season,

*cue sad trombone*

but he still managed to score this goal last week that ruined my life for about half an hour:

 

And this really pretty one against the Oilers, with an insane pass from my other St. Louis boyfriend, TJ Oshie:

He was a 2010 Olympian:

Sorry not sorry about that one, ‘Muricah.

 A 2011 All-Star, with some seriously foxy teammates:

And a 2012 Finalist for the Frank J. Selke trophy:

Plaid Suit + Paisley Tie + Lavender Pocket Square = Power Clashing

Now… get your fainting couches ready ladies, because off the ice David Backes cranks the swoon to 11.

First of all, his hair game is TIGHT. (Tioght like a tiger. ~C)

Seriously, I think he must have a portrait of himself in the attic that is slowly going bald.

Portrait of Dorian Backes

And he can rock a decent playoff beard.

Puppies. SO MANY PUPPIES.

David, with his wife Kelly and the Five Acres Animal shelter, formed the “Backes’ Buddies” charity to rescue dogs (even the ugly ones):

David and Krull. Besties for life.

And cats too!

He is wicked smart. According to Wikipedia, “he is currently pursuing an applied organizational studies degree with an nonprofit leadership emphasis from MNSU.”  

I have no idea what any of those words mean but colour me impressed.Oh did I mention that he is a licensed pilot and has flown with the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds.

Take my breath away…

 Oh yeah, and there was that one time he flew 700 miles… just to rescue three dogs.

 

Did I mention he loves dogs?!

If you, like me, were at first resistant to the charms of this on-ice tough guy, you should do as Joey Tribbiani says and just:

 Because…

Basically.