Two of Boston's core players played a big role in attracting David Backes' attention in free agency.
The 32-year-old forward, who signed a five-year, $30-million contract on July 1, said he spoke to both Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand during the interview period, referring to them Wednesday as lead salesmen in the process.
"Talking to (Marchand) a little bit during the interview process before July 1, I hung up the phone and kind of had to take a deep breath and say, 'Is that the little disturber, pain in the butt?' He's actually a pretty good guy," Backes said, according to Eric Russo of BostonBruins.com.
"A guy like Bergeron, you play against him, he's just always in the right spot and never making mistakes. Those types of guys are guys you want on your team, guys that you love to go to war with."
His positive impressions of both, as well as the positive relationship shared by the duo both on and off the ice, helped convince him to sign with the club.
It's winning a championship, however, that means most to Backes, after not being able to hoist the Stanley Cup as captain of the St. Louis Blues.
"With the reception that I've had for the three, four weeks that I've been a Boston Bruin, you can tell that there's some passion and tons of people here that just yearn for another Cup, even though it was just five years ago there was a parade here," he said.
"That's why I came here, because you see the vision, you see the love for the team, and I want to be a part of that."
On another note, Backes will wear his familiar No. 42 with the Bruins.
