Barlow, top 2023 Draft hopeful, excited for Hlinka Gretzky Cup showcase

Colby Barlow had a vested interest in keeping tabs on the 2022 NHL Draft.

It's because he'll be experiencing the process first-hand as one of the top forwards eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft.
Barlow (6-foot, 195 pounds) had 47 points (30 goals, 17 assists) in 59 games for Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League last season. The right wing set an Owen Sound record for goals in a season by a 16-year-old, passing the 22 scored by Bobby Ryan (2003-04) and Daniel Sisca (1999-00), and he was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.
"You definitely watch it, getting shivers every time someone gets drafted, thinking, 'That could be you next year,'" Barlow said. "It's definitely my life goal, to get drafted into the NHL. That's why I play and put all the work in. You're definitely watching, not as a fan but as ... that's where I want to be next year."
Barlow, who turned 17 on Feb. 14, is well on his way to making that hope into a reality.
"He's a left-shot winger who prefers to play the off wing and last season he displayed his offensive upside by setting a rookie goal scoring record with Owen Sound," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "He possesses good strength and skating drive to develop into an NHL power forward. He is very good at protecting the puck, winning battles and getting to the net. He has the smarts and tools to contribute offensively and is a strong two-way competitor. His overall game continues to develop in the right direction."

He'll get to display those skills next for Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an under-18 international tournament that will be held in Red Deer, Alberta from July 31 to Aug. 6. NHL Network will televise Canada's preliminary round games in Group A, against Switzerland on Sunday (9 p.m. ET), Slovakia on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET) and Sweden on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET). NHL Network also will broadcast the United States' three preliminary round games in Group B, against Germany on Sunday (5 p.m. ET), Finland on Monday (5 p.m. ET) and Czechia on Wednesday (1 p.m. ET), as well as select other games, and the medal round, which starts Friday.
It will be an opening statement during a season-long campaign to put his best foot forward for NHL scouts.
"Skating is something I want to continue to improve, but all in all my whole game needs to get better and better," said Barlow, who says he models his game after Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. "I can improve in the defensive] zone and make sure my shooting percentage gets better. But skating is definitely a main focus for me."
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will provide Barlow a first take on where he stands against many of the best prospects the 2023 draft has to offer.
A location and date for the 2023 draft will be announced at a later date.
"It's a deep draft class," he said. "There's so many good players. When you come to camps for Hockey Canada and you get to see them up front and in person, it's crazy how good this draft class is. I think I can range in the top players myself. Just continue to work there and get myself better and continue to work toward [becoming] a top, top prospect coming to the end of the year, to the NHL Draft. I'm working for it. Deep draft, a lot of great players.
"It'll be interesting to see how it goes and falls into place."
*Photos courtesy: John Carrick; Alison Kennedy Davies*
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