Barlow takes the next step – Winnipeg Free Press

Colby Barlow has been known as “the captain” with his junior team for the past two years.

He became a “Rookie” on Wednesday.

The Winnipeg Jets forward got his first taste of professional action as he skated with his new Manitoba Moose teammates for the first time since being reassigned from the Owen Sound Attack last week.

The puck moved faster, the shots on the boards were a little heavier and the practice was a little harder than it was for the 19-year-old, he said.

Owen Sound was defeated by the Saginaw Spirit last Wednesday in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. The 6-1, 195-pound Barlow got a call from the Jets organization on Thursday and spent a few days with his family before flying to Winnipeg on Sunday to join the American Hockey League team.

“It's a bittersweet ending to a team that's been with us all year. I have a lot of good friends there, a lot of lifelong friends,” said Barlow, a left winger. “Obviously you want to stay with the team you've been with for as long as possible, but it's over and there's a new opportunity, which is exciting.

“The last few days have been crazy: travel, get here and get to work. But I'm very happy to be here.”

Ont. Barlow, who hails from Orillia, has endured the most uneventful campaign of his hockey career this season. His coach, Greg Walters, was fired seven games into the season despite the team's 4-2-1 record. Winnipeg's first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2023 draft suffered a back injury on Nov. 8 that sidelined him until Dec. 30 and ruled him out of Canada's world junior hockey team.

The captain stood tall during the chaos, leading the offense to the playoffs, posting 40 goals and 18 assists in 50 regular season games, along with one goal and two assists in four playoff games.

“It's had its ups and downs,” Barlow said. “I've been injured for a while there but it's been good, I've been healthy and learned a lot this year, overcome some challenges, but I'm happy to be here and start a new chapter for however long it takes.”

Last September, Barlow signed a three-year, entry-level contract that has yet to begin. However, per the NHL-CHL player transfer agreement, he is ineligible to join the Moose outside of training camp next season and must return. Fourth year in youth hockey for Owen Sound.

That is, if he doesn't crack the NHL roster.

Barlow's time in the AHL this year is still valuable. He joins the Ice at the most important time in the team's calendar, with six games remaining in the regular season schedule and a spot in the playoffs.

Manitoba (31-33-2-1) will have a playoff berth this weekend as they play afternoon contests against the Iowa Wild (24-36-4-3) on Saturday and Sunday in their final two home games before wrapping up their regular season. games. three road games next week.

Head coach Mark Morrison said the club would ease Barlow into the squad but the experience he gained would be vital.

“It's valuable. We have to be careful what we put them in, and when we do, we have to make sure it's set up for success, not failure. It's an important time of year and he's excited to be here right now and he's learning a lot and he's learning the systems,” Morrison said.

“He's learning a lot and he's a smart kid, so he's picking things up quickly.”

The Jets selected Barlow knowing he has great leadership qualities and a howitzer to fire.

Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Barlow became the youngest player to be named captain of the attack. He scored 116 goals in three years at Owen Sound.

That's how he hopes to find his footing at the professional level.

“I think it's just simple. Don't try to do too much, know my strengths and stick to me, what I do. “I think I'm confident that I can contribute offensively, not be a liability in the defensive zone, that's a big thing for me personally and I'm confident for the coaches,” Barlow said.

“Of course I want to do my best here and show what kind of player I am, but it's also a lot of learning. It's going to be my first exposure with a pro and playing it, so it's (about) getting the right footing and getting that speed and how the game plays and how everything is faster – I think it's going to be an adjustment. I hope to do it quickly and do my best.”

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Joshua Frey-Sam
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Joshua Frey-Sam will happily welcome a heated sports debate any day of the week.

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