Barlow could fill future leadership role with Jets

WINNIPEG -- Colby Barlow isn't thinking about expectations, but when the Winnipeg Jets look at the 18-year-old forward prospect, who they selected with the No. 18 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, there is belief he is future captain material.

"Coming from the Draft, I think it was an exciting time for our organization," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "Like obviously, our first-round pick, we're extremely excited with him and the opportunity for him in our organization is going to be great."

Barlow brings NHL-ready size (6-foot, 190 pounds), and a shot to match.

"I'm just a 200-foot, power forward with goal-scoring ability," Barlow said. "I play hard, competitive, drive the net, play with some passion."

In addition to having 79 points (46 goals, 33 assists) in 59 games with Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League last season, Barlow had three goals in four OHL playoff games and four points (three goals, one assist) in six games for bronze medal-winning Canada in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Under-18 Championship.

"[His game] really translates well to a hard-nosed team," Cheveldayoff said. "A team that can be successful in the playoffs."

Barlow possesses power and a quick release when shooting the puck, but his use of body positioning and sudden stick-direction change is what sets him apart from his peers.

"I don't just get comfy with one certain shot," Barlow said. "You just try and do all you can on the ice, in different situations in the offensive zone. I watch a lot of [Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, when he gets into spaces and he's able to release the puck. All those things just kind of come together. ... I think a lot of it is just practice, repetition, trying new things as well."

The on-ice talent is clear, but Barlow's mentality may be what Winnipeg covets most.

"When you sit down and talk to him you do get that feeling that he's a pretty serious person," Cheveldayoff said. "He's serious about a lot of things in his life, he's scholastic player of the year. He took great pride in that. Just a hard-nosed, greasy type of player, too, can score goals and goes to the hard areas to score them, too. Our guys are really excited."

Barlow was selected to the OHL First All-Star Team and was named the OHL and Canadian Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year.

Cheveldayoff himself was awarded the Western Hockey League's top scholastic honor as a player in 1988, and the Jets have selected several players over the years who have won that award in Canadian junior hockey. Barlow is the latest, joining center Cole Perfetti (first round, 2020), defenseman Josh Morrissey (first round, 2013) and forward Adam Lowry (third round, 2011).

"One of the big things for us is leadership," Winnipeg director of player development Jimmy Roy said. "When you're drafted, you're one of the better players on your team and you have a natural leadership role from the team you're playing on. It's easier for those players when they come into [development camp]."

Barlow says he needs to improve his skating and agility, and conversations with Jets staff have encouraged him to round out his complete game and playmaking.

"Being at camp here there's so many great players," Barlow said. "Just learning from them and taking everything from these on-ice sessions and the off-ice sessions. ... I took a lot of good steps this year and I'm just going to continue to bury my head and get to work and be the best player I can be."