Jets prospect Barlow remains positive through adversity

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

To suggest Colby Barlow has had a lot on his plate the past several months is a massive understatement.

The Winnipeg Jets forward prospect and Owen Sound Attack captain has dealt with the first coaching change of his junior hockey career and his first significant injury, but he’s fully recovered and put together a remarkable stretch that had him on the verge of a third consecutive 30-goal season.

Barlow recently found his groove, racking up 14 goals and 21 points during the past 10 games (scoring at least a goal in nine of them, while putting together a seven-game goal-scoring streak) going into Friday’s Ontario Hockey League contest with the London Knights.

“It wasn’t a terrible start, but it wasn’t my greatest start to the year. Then you get injured and it was a tough stretch for me,” Barlow said. “Coming back from injury, I finally found my confidence in my game and it’s been working for me. I’m really moving my feet and just feeling better and better every single game.”

The Attack relieved Greg Walters of his duties seven games into the campaign (despite a record of 4-2-1) and the move hit home for Barlow, who is into his second season as captain of the team.

“It was a challenge. I was super close with Wally throughout the two years of my junior career,” said Barlow. “He taught me so much during his time here. He’s just a great human being, a good person and always cared and put the team before himself. A great coach, a great guy. But it’s going to happen the further on you get in your career. I have a lot of good things to say about Wally.”

Walters was replaced by former NHL defenceman Darren Rumble and along with assistant coach Sean Teakle, the Attack are battling in the middle of the pack of the Western Conference standings in the Ontario Hockey League.

Barlow accumulated 14 points in the first 14 games of the OHL season before he suffered a back injury in a game against the Kitchener Rangers on Nov. 8.

“No, I haven’t been injured like that before. I’ve had some minor injuries. It was an awkward hit that kind of jarred the wrong way. There was a little bit of wear and tear (already) and that combination finally blew,” said Barlow. “It was a long month-and-a-half, almost two months of recovering and strengthening it. It was a long road and it wasn’t the funnest thing watching your team play and you’re on the sidelines and just doing rehab and you can’t skate.

“But everything happens for a reason. I got stronger and I got stronger mentally through that and tried to look at the positives. I’ve been feeling like myself on the ice since I’ve gotten back.”

Not only did the injury knock Barlow out of the lineup until Dec. 30, it eliminated him from consideration for Canada’s world junior hockey team.

“For sure, that one stung,” said Barlow, who should have an opportunity to suit up for his country in the 2025 event. “There are going to be bumps on the road and I’m just trying to focus now on making sure I’m as healthy and as ready as I can ever be for that next opportunity.”

As disappointed as he was to miss out on the event, Barlow was in touch and sent a congratulatory text to his friend and fellow Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty after he captained the United States to the gold medal in Sweden.

The early-season challenges for the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft came on the heels of Barlow signing his entry-level contract with the Jets one day (Sept. 21) and then coming down with a stomach bug the next.

The illness essentially moved him into a spectator role for most of training camp and prevented Barlow from suiting up in even a single pre-season contest with the Jets.

“Everything happened so quick, sort of overnight. I was hoping to get into an exhibition game or two and experience that. It’s tough, but there are going to be bumps in the road all throughout your career. You just try to stay positive throughout the entire thing and try to manage the space in your head and stay level-headed,” said Barlow, noting he still took some valuable lessons from his first NHL training camp. “I learned how hard I’m going to have to continue to have to work to make sure that you can get a spot at that level. The guys work so hard, they’re so strong and they do everything right for their bodies. They are great leaders, great guys and very welcoming. It’s just how hard they work and how dedicated they are. It’s going to take a lot to get there, but I’m determined. It’s an exciting thing to look forward to and work towards.”

Barlow, who turned 19 on Wednesday, has been keeping tabs on the Jets this season and attended a road game in Ottawa last month.

“They’ve been on fire. I’ve been watching a few games here and there throughout the year, whenever they’re on. Whenever I can catch them,” said Barlow. “Their defensive game is pretty good, they’ve got those guys that can score and (Connor) Hellebuyck is just light’s out like everybody expected. They’re a fun team to watch.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld