Denver Barkey at Canada's World Junior Camp Potentially the most well-deserved prospect signing of the season goes to Denver Barkey, 3rd round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. Barkey has signed his three-year entry-level contract with the club, as he continues his remarkable season with London in the OHL. Size, size, size — this is all anyone has been talking about with Denver Barkey, and it is likely a large reason why he dropped to the 3rd round in the 2023 NHL Draft. Barkey is 5-foot-9, 154-pounds, but he has undoubtedly been one of the most skilled forwards in junior hockey this season. Barkey sits fifth in league scoring with 87 points in just 56 games with London this season. Offensively, Barkey has it all. He has the explosive speed, nifty hands, and vision to make plays at an advanced level. Despite being 5-foot-9, Barkey plays a much bigger, more competitive game. He never shies away from a battle, even if it is with a player half a foot taller than him. He handles physicality extremely well and he has the ability to outmuscle and outwork opponents with his strength. Surprisingly to many, Barkey was cut from Canada's World Junior team after being invited to the Selection Camp. He had a phenomenal camp, there wasn't much more that he could have proven on the ice. Barkey has been overcoming hurdles and adversity ever since he started playing in the OHL, and he continues to prove doubters wrong. Sure, he's 5-foot-9, but there are no players at his size that can handle physicality and compete like he can — not to mention his sky-high offensive upside as a professional player.
