Barrie closes in on team record
r Marissa Baecker photo
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r By Warren Henderson – Kelowna Capital News
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r In a season where not much has gone the Kelowna Rockets way, Tyson Barrie has found a way to push his game to another level.
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r Despite missing nine games, the 18-year-old Victoria native is second only to Vancouver’s Kevin Connauton among WHL defenceman in scoring this season with 47 points on eight goals and 39 assists.
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r In addition, Barrie is on the verge of becoming the Rockets all-time leading scorer among blue liners. Josh Gorges is currently No. 1 with 152 points, Mike Card is next in line at 147, while Barrie is third with 145 points.
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r To make the feat even more impressive, Barrie is less than three years into his major junior career, while Gorges and Card each needed four seasons to compile their totals.
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r Still, the 5-foot-10, 185 pound rearguard is humbled to be mentioned in the same breath as the two former Rockets.
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r “For sure, to be talked about with Gorges and Card, two guys you hear so much about, is a pretty big honour,” said Barrie. “They’re always around here in the summer, so it’s pretty cool.
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r “At the same time, I don’t think too much about records or anything like that,” he added. “I just feel fortunate to have had the success I’ve had, and I don’t worry about it too much.”
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r As a first-round bantam draft pick in 2006 Barrie came to the Rockets with high expectations—and he hasn’t disappointed.
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r While Barrie’s offensive skills have always been front and centre, he’s been forced to work hard at improving his defensive game.
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r Rockets coach Ryan Huska said the Colorado Avalanche draft pick is getting closer and closer to becoming a complete player.
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r “I think he’s got a lot of confidence with the puck and you just see that growing with every game,” said Huska. “He’s making a lot happen on nights when we’re not doing much else as a team. He’s consistent and contributing and, best of all, he’s become a leader for us.
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r “He’s got more skill, I’d say, than any defenceman who’s come through here,” continued Huska, “but he’s had to work on the defensive area of his game,” said Huska. “He’s been criticized for that in the past, but he’s getting better and better at it. He’s one of the few plus-guys we have on the team.”
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r And while Barrie is enjoying personal success, it hasn’t been nearly as prosperous a season for the Rockets who sit in eighth spot in the Western Conference.
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r Still, Barrie has faith his teammates will salvage something meaningful from the 2009-10 campaign.
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r “I definitely think we’re a better team than where we’re at right now,” said Barrie. “With the injuries we’ve had it’s been tough. But there’s still time left in the season to turn it around and, who knows, once you get into the playoffs, anything’s possible.”
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