Orillia's Colby Barlow in on the move.
After playing his first three Ontario Hockey League (OHL) seasons with the Owen Sound Attack, the Winnipeg Jets prospect has been traded to the Oshawa Generals.
The 19-year-old, who served as the Attack's captain the last two seasons, scored 40 goals and netted 58 points in the 2023 campaign. His season was marred by injuries, causing him to miss 18 games.
He was named Orillia's athlete of the year in 2022.
The left-handed forward was dealt to the Generals on Thursday for defenceman David Bedkowski, centreman Tristan Delisle, and future draft picks.
In a press release issued by the team, Generals’ general manager and vice president, Roger Hunt, says the team is excited to land a player like Barlow.
"He has a proven track record of being a scorer and that will add to our already deep group of forwards," he said. "Fans will grow to love seeing number 39 in red, white and navy blue."
In a press release issued by the Owen Sound Attack, general manager Dale DeGray thanked the former captain for his years with the team.
"Colby has been a very good player for the Attack and one of the most prolific goal scorers I think that has ever put on the jersey," he said.
“When your top player asks to be traded, it’s very difficult to accept and then very difficult to try and get full value for the player," DeGray said. "I would like to thank Colby for everything the he has done and wish him the most success with the Oshawa Generals.”
Barlow, who helped Canada win gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, attended the World Junior Summer Showcase earlier this year. He could be in line to represent his country again this winter at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Ottawa.
This fall, Barlow played two NHL pre-season games with the Jets where he scored a goal and added an assist. It's expected that Barlow will report to the Generals following the Jets' training camp, which concludes this weekend.
Barlow's first chance to don his new uniform in front of local fans, family, and friends will come on Saturday, Nov. 16, when the Barrie Colts host the Generals at Sadlon Arena.
