Barlow is ready for his next opportunity

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Jet 2023 first-round pick Colby Barlow attended his first practice with the Manitoba Moose at the Canada Life Center on Wednesday.

Barlow and Owen's Sound Offensive season ended on April 3 when the Saginaw Spirit swept them in four games in the opening round of the OHL playoffs. The 19-year-old striker has been dealing with an upper body injury that has sidelined him for more than a month and a half. But Barlow has already scored 40 goals in just 50 games this season and has 118 career goals in 168 games.

“It had its ups and downs. I was injured there for a while. But it's been good, I've learned a lot this year, I've overcome some challenges,” Barlow said.

“But I'm excited to be here and start this new chapter, however long it takes.”

Attack general manager Dale DeGray drafted Barlow eighth overall in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League draft. He's watched the Orillia product grow year after year into the player he is today and is confident Barlow is ready for the next step.

“Obviously, being our captain, he's always been a model guy. He's been injured a little bit this year, but he's really taken the extra time to focus on it and get to the point where he's not going to come back,” DeGray said.

I know they say, “One year he scored 46 (goals), now he has 40.” But when you figure it all out, it's 46 after 46. It's pretty impressive. He is a true leader. I think he's really embraced it this year to mature into that guy and make him accountable in all facets of the game. He was a guy that (Offensive line coach) Darren Rumble could count on night in and night out.”

The Moose have five games left in the regular season and are nine points up on Chicago for the final playoff spot in the Central Division. They host Iowa twice this weekend at the Canadian Life Center and their magic number is four to clinch a playoff spot.

There are some familiar faces in the Moose locker room when Barlow plays with Moose regulars Nikita Chibrikov, Parker Ford, Brad Lambert, Henri Nikkanen, Tyrell Bauer, Simon Lundmark and Tomas Milich in the 2023 Young Stars Classic in Penticton this fall.

“These guys immediately greeted me when I walked into the room, every single one of them,” Barlow said.

“Like I said, it's special and exciting to be here. “Especially during the playoffs, it's just exciting times.”

It's not yet known which games Barlow will play in the remaining five games, but he feels special to be part of the group.

“It's interesting. When this opportunity (his first pro game) comes, I'll be as ready as possible for him,” Barlow said.

“Do whatever I can to help the team or contribute as much as I can.”

DeGray has many ties to the Moose organization, having played for them in 1996-98. He played for Moose GM Craig Heisinger, was a teammate of Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois and Jets associate coach Scott Arniel. Like Barlow, DeGray is excited about the opportunity.

“Colby is a first-round pick and there are some people in Winnipeg who know that I played for or against Chevy (Kevin Cheveldayoff) in the past. When you see kids play for guys that I know, you wish them luck,” DeGray said.

“You hope on my behalf that it doesn't happen sooner or later, do you? It's their dream, it's what they want, and it's a goal that you hope you can provide, and they're going to do what they want to do and have some success doing it.”