The London Knights have announced their 53rd captain in franchise history and the rest of the leadership group for the 2024-25 season

Fresh off three wins last week and back to number one in the Ontario Hockey League's latest power rankings, the London Knights have announced the 53rd captain in franchise history and the rest of their leadership group for the 2024-25 campaign. 

The organization announced Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey the team's new captain Wednesday evening. 

Barkey, 19, was drafted in the first round, 16th overall by the Knights in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He's playing in his fourth season with the team, which most likely will be his last season in the OHL before graduating to the professional rank for the Flyers organization. 

Denver led London in scoring during the 2023-24 regular season with 102 points in 64 games, and second to his buddy Easton Cowan in playoff scoring with 27 points. Over the course of his OHL career, Barkey has accumulated 114 assists, 178 points in 181 regular season games (most games played on the active roster), and 53 points in 43 playoff games. 

“It’s a huge honor. There have been a lot of great London Knights that have worn the "C." There is a responsibility that comes with it and I’m looking forward to working with my teammates towards another championship," commented Denver Barkey.

Last season during their championship run, the Knights did not have a player wear the "C." Isaiah George, Jackson Edward, and Max McCue were their assistant captains. The last time the franchise had a captain was in 2022-23 when they actually had co-captains — Sean McGurn and George Diaco. 

Assembling the rest of London's leadership group are overage forwards Jacob Julien and Landon Sim, Toronto Maple Leafs' top prospect Easton Cowan, and fellow Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk.

Many expected Cowan to receive the captaincy, but the Knights had several strong candidates to choose from: Easton, Barkey, Bonk, and the very personable and professional Sam Dickinson.

The Knights received lots of reinforcements getting Sam O'Reilly, Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk, and Sam Dickinson back from their NHL training camp stints, and the reigning OHL Champions look primed and ready to defend their title. 

Bookmark The Hockey News OHL site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.