As captain of the London Knights, Barkey finished second on the team in scoring with 82 points in 50 games, behind only Sharks’ prospect defenseman Sam Dickinson. He had 20 points in 10 playoff games before suffering a high-ankle sprain. He returned a month later in time for the Memorial Cup, posting seven points in five games and leading London to the championship. If he were a bigger player, he would be a top fantasy own and a lock for NHL duty down the road. But given his size, we need to see how well it translates to pro hockey. –

The Flyers signed Barkey to an ELC on March 3rd as Barkey has had a career year with the London Knights. A smaller forward known best for his motor, Barkey has hit career highs in every offensive category this season.

Barkley was selected 95th overall by the Flyers.

In a word, Denver Barkey is fun. Every time he gets the puck, his eyes light up, he explodes into his top gear, and he finds increasingly creative ways to advance play towards the opponent’s end. The 5-foot-8, 170-pound center is plying his trade with the OHL’s London Knights, and is just below a point-per-game pace in 28 games, with seven goals and 20 assists.

His production is far from elite, but Barkey isn’t tasked with the highest minutes. He oscillates between the second and third line, while mostly seeing second-wave power play minutes. The Newmarket, Ontario-native’s skillset, however, transcends those coaching limitations. He blends head fakes with hip-pocket handling to misdirect defenders, drag pucks between his own legs, stop and curl up on a dime using his polished edgework, and open up passing lanes using his above-average intelligence. He chains together his tools in ways that contribute to positive results, making him more than the sum of his parts.