Backes an Olympian agan

St. Louis Blues photo

USA Hockey announced this year's men's Olympic team on Wednesday and, to no great surprise, former Minnesota State standout David Backes was named to the roster. Backes also played for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Games, helping the American win a silver medal.

Backes, now the captain of the St. Louis Blues (Could he be in consideration for the U.S. captaincy?), has 16 goals and 30 points in 35 games this season. He will be joined on the U.S. team by two of his Blues teammates, T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk.

The U.S. roster is full of familiar names. There are eight Minnesotans and 12 former WCHA players on the 25-man roster.

Backes is on the shelf right now with an upper-body injury. The Olympics take place Feb. 7-23 in Sochi, Russia.

Speaking of Sochi, check out my story on Olympic curler John Landsteiner of Mapleton, Minn. (just down the road from Mankato) here.