Winnipeg Jets prospect Colby Barlow refuses to attend OHL training camp

Owen Sound Attack's GM, Dale DeGray, revealed that Colby Barlow let the team know, just before training camp, that he's staying in the Toronto area to keep training before heading off to the Winnipeg Jets' camp next month.

Colby Barlow, who got drafted by the Jets in the first round and signed his entry-level contract in the summer of 2023, has decided to focus on his off-season preparation with the goal of making it to the NHL instead of returning as captain of the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. Jesse Courville-Lynch recently reported this latest development.

When asked if Colby Barlow had asked for a trade during the off-season, DeGray didn't give a clear answer. But he did mention that if Barlow, who's originally from Orillia, gets sent back to the Ontario Hockey League by the Jets but doesn't report to Owen Sound, the team's going to have a tough decision on their hands.

DeGray admitted he's a bit bummed but also recognized that Colby Barlow isn't the only NHL prospect who might skip out on their junior team's training camps this year. He hinted that this trend, where young players stay focused on their off-season training with an eye on making it to the NHL, could be the "new normal."

Colby Barlow's been a huge part of turning things around for the Owen Sound Attack, especially after the team's struggles during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a 16-year-old, he set a team record with 30 goals as an underage player. The next season, he became the youngest captain in the team's history.

Colby Barlow recently dealt with a nagging back injury that needed rehab in Toronto. Despite all that, he still managed to score 40 goals in just 50 games with the Attack.

Considering how rough last season was and how experts believe Owen Sound will be a young team with pretty low expectations this year, some folks are thinking Colby Barlow might be looking for a fresh start somewhere else in the OHL, or possibly wanting to skip it completely and secure a roster spot in the NHL with the Jets.

Source:
Jesse Courville-Lynch on X

Source: Elite Prospects
Colby Barlow Stats