In a surprising turn of events, veteran blueliner Tyson Barrie finds himself in unfamiliar territory heading into Calgary Flames training camp. At 33 years old with an impressive 809 games of NHL experience under his belt, Barrie is attending camp on a professional tryout, a situation he did not anticipate after a solid performance last season with the Nashville Predators.
Having failed to secure any offers over the summer, Barrie expressed his shock at the lack of interest from teams despite his 15 points in 41 games. However, the opportunity to reunite with his former junior coach, Ryan Huska, in Calgary presents a silver lining for the skilled defenseman. The pair had previously worked together with the Kelowna Rockets, culminating in a Western Hockey League title in 2009.
“It’s fun. It’s almost like turning back the clock a little bit,” Barrie shared during an informal skate at WinSport Arena ahead of Flames camp. “I feel like I’m 19 years old trying to make the league for the first time. It’s a different perspective. Obviously not the position I was hoping to be in, but it is what it is, and [I’ll] just make the most of it.”
Despite initial frustrations over the lack of interest in the summer market, Barrie remains optimistic about his chances in Calgary. He acknowledges the competitive nature of the NHL and the tough road to establishing oneself in the league. Nevertheless, he is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his skills with the Flames.
Huska’s reassurance that Barrie has a genuine chance to earn a contract with the team has provided motivation for the defenseman. “Just come and do what you do,” Barrie shared of Huska’s advice. “You’ll get your opportunity and run with it.”
The Victoria, B.C., native has established himself as an offense-first blueliner during stints with the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and more recently, the Predators. His career-best performance came in the 2018-19 season when he notched an impressive 59 points with the Avalanche. Since the 2013-14 campaign, Barrie ranks seventh among NHL defensemen in points and ninth in power-play points.
As Barrie embarks on this unexpected chapter in his career, all eyes will be on the veteran defenseman as he looks to make an impact and secure a roster spot with the Calgary Flames. Time will tell if this training camp gamble pays off for both Barrie and the Flames.
