Draft-eligible Barlow named OHL’s scholastic player of the year
Colby Barlow is bright.
Barlow, a projected first round pick for the 2023 NHL Draft, has been named recipient of the Bobby Smith Trophy awarded to the Ontario Hockey League’s scholastic player of the year.
“I’m truly honoured to be awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy,” Barlow said in a release. “Playing hockey at an elite level and excelling at academics are really two sides of the same coin. It would be inconsistent for someone with the dedication it requires to perform at an elite level in sports, not to apply that same dedication to their academic studies.
“To excel in hockey it requires talent, but more importantly it requires discipline. The skillsets in athletics and academics are interrelated and I appreciate everyone with the Owen Sound Attack who has helped me as I continue to try and excel in both of those areas.”
The 18-year-old forward excelled with an overall average of 93 percent across Grade 12 University-level courses: Challenge and Change in Society (97%), Families in Canada (96%), Organizational Business (95 percent), Business Leadership (95%), International Business (90%), and English (85%) at Owen Sound District Secondary School.
“Colby has found an incredible way to balance both on-ice brilliance and excellence in the classroom,” Attack general manager Dale DeGray said. “He also did a tremendous job serving as captain of our team in just his second season, and has amazed many at the Bayshore, scoring some outstanding goals and demonstrating what it truly means to be a leader both on and off the ice.”
Barlow was second in FCHockey’s Midterm ranking for the 2023 draft among OHL skaters behind Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals, and led all OHL draft-eligible skaters with 79 points (46 goals, 33 assists).
Erie Otters forward Carey Terrance and London Knights blueliner Oliver Bonk were next in line for the award. Luca Pinelli of the Ottawa 67s placed third in the process.
Barlow will be the OHL’s nominee for the Canadian Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year Award, presented June 3.