David Backes named to Olympic team (updated)

Former Minnesota State star David Backes was named to the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team on Friday. The announcement came after a very entertaining NHL Winter Classic game between the Bruins and the Flyers.

They went alphabetical and Backes was the first player announced. They unveiled the roster by having youth hockey players dressed in USA jerseys with the Team USA players names and numbers on the backs. Backes will wear No. 42, which is the number he wears for the St. Louis Blues.

Backes was among several players familiar to those who have followed the WCHA. The group also includes:

• Wisconsin's Brian Rafalski, Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter

• North Dakota's Zach Parise

• Denver's Paul Stastny

• St. Cloud State's Ryan Malone

• Minnesota's Phil Kessel, Paul Martin and Erik Johnson

There are five players who are Minnsesota natives: Backes, Parise, Martin, Johnson and Jamie Langenbrunner.

Backes is now the second MSU athlete to be chosen for an Olympic team. Earlier this year, MSU women's hockey player Emilia Andersson was named to the Swedish team.

UPDATE: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a story on Backes and Johnson with comments.