Today in Colorado Avalanche History

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jul 26, 2010 5:00 AM MDT in Today In Colorado Avalanche History Comment 4 comments

via www.kelownarockets.com. Photo by Melissa Baecker

Happy 19th birthday to Avalanche prospect Tyson Barrie. Barrie, a 3rd-round pick of the Avs in last summer's draft, is a defenseman for the Kelowna Rockets. Last year he tied for the WHL scoring lead for defensemen with 72 points in 63 games, which makes you wonder how long it will be before he joins fellow 2009 draftees Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly on the Avalanche roster.

Barrie is son to former NHL player and former Lightning owner Len Barrie. In fact, when Tyson was born way back in 1991, Len was playing for the Hershey Bears (although this was a few years before the Avalanche before the Colorado - Hershey affiliation). That was just two years after Len scored an amazing 85 goals and 185 points for Kamloops - a team coached by Ken Hitchcock and featuring a couple of teenagers on defense named Scott Niedermayer and Darryl Sydor. Oh, and some guy named Ed Bertuzzi too. Not sure if there's any relation there or not.

In case you missed it, Tyson was interviewed by Angélique back in January.

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These young D are going to really push last years starters in camp. Holos, Shattenkirk, Elliot, Cohen, Gaunce and Barrie should make Wilson, Cumiskey, and Liles all pretty nervous. I hope it means they all elevate their games and come in to camp in top shape.

by Dario on Jul 26, 2010 7:37 AM MDT reply actions

I’m excited about this kid. He seems to have the poise and tools of a small defenseman like Rafalski but I’m worried he will be the odd man out between Shattenkirk and our bigger, more needed defense and won’t get the high development time he needed. It’d be kind of like Rafalski without the time overseas.

What's the difference between a duck?

by hedge_duck on Jul 26, 2010 9:32 AM MDT reply actions

He will most likely go back to the WHL and hopefully get an invite to the U-20 for Canada. That will be a TON of great experience. Then next year is a different ball of wax with Foote and Hannan.

by Dario on Jul 26, 2010 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions

It’s true. I think he made a great choice going into the WHL as a small defenseman and dominating. That is definitely the most physical of the leagues, and learning physical positioning as a small D is what he needs to focus on most. His offensive tools are certainly there, his speed seems good, and his defense isn’t bad either, so if he can learn how to stand up to the man then he should be set for a career.

What's the difference between a duck?

by hedge_duck on Jul 26, 2010 10:27 AM MDT up reply actions