Photo by Bridget Samuels/ Flickr

This week we’re recognizing the captain of the St. Louis Blues for the Hawt Trophy. Yes, David Backes himself. Unfortunately he didn’t take home the Selke award at last night’s NHL Awards ceremony, but there is plenty to recognize him for.

Minnesota Boy, Olympic silver medalist, and integral part of the Blues resurgence. As if that weren’t enough… he loves puppies.

David and his wife Kelly are big time advocates for shelter-animals and support a local no-kill shelter: Five Acres Animal Shelter.

Delightfully scruffy during the post season.

Before the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Backes developed a new nickname. “Inglorious Backes”. For those less familiar with pop culture, it’s a take on “The Inglorious Basterds”, Quentin Tarantino’s film about a group of US soldiers with a mission to kill Nazis. What does this have to do with hockey?

Well, leading up to the Olympic Games, Backes took to engaging in fisticuffs with many members of Team Canada. A true patriot indeed.

I mean, really. How can you get better than that?