Where Are They Now: Travis Barron
If you wanted to find when the last time was that the Ottawa 67’s had an officially-named captain, you would have to go back even before the fateful 2019-20 season. The last member of the Barber Poles to have the ‘C’ emblazoned upon his chest was Travis Barron who suited up with the 67’s from 2014, until 2018.
“Ottawa was the best thing for me as a person,” the former captain told TSN 1200’s Kenny Walls in a recent interview. “I went there, I’d just turned 16, and made me the person I am today. The billets the fans, the people, the friends, the staff, everything in Ottawa, and OSEG, and the city.”
“I actually see myself living in Ottawa, as an adult, with a family. I love the lifestyle over there. I just love everything about it.”
A native of Brampton, Ontario, Barron was drafted third overall by Ottawa in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The winger didn’t take long to make an impact on his new team, scoring his first OHL goal in just his third game, on October 4, 2014, in a visit to the Barrie Colts. It was a sign of things to come, as the rookie dressed in 64 games during his freshman campaign, posting 12 goals, and nine assists, for a total of 21 points.
Despite the 67’s dropping their first-round matchup with the Niagara IceDogs in six games, Barron also chipped in a goal and an assist, during the hard-fought series.
The next season saw Barron only suit up in 60 games, but enjoy an increase in production, mainly coming by way of the assist column. He recorded 13 goals, and 24 assists, totalling 37 points. The campaign was perhaps highlighted by Barron recording his first career hat trick on October 18, 2015, in a road matchup against the Saginaw Spirit.
Though the Barber Poles would again fall to Niagara in the playoffs, this time in five games, Barron again enjoyed a boost in the stats column; with two goals, and four assists, for six points.
The production didn’t go unnoticed, with Barron being selected in the seventh round by the Colorado Avalanche, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
In 2016-17, Barron was officially named the 19th captain in 67’s history. His first season with the ‘C’ saw him appear in 59 games, recording 13 goals, and 21 assists, for 34 points, en route to a seventh-place finish for Ottawa. He scored a goal during a four-game loss to the Mississauga Steelheads in the first round.
Barron’s final OHL campaign, in 2017-18, saw him enjoy the best season of his OHL career, under new head coach Andre Tourigny. Barron was in the lineup for — fittingly — 67 games, and reached career-highs in all categories, with 21 goals, 36 assists, and 57 points. Though the 67’s would again fall in the first round, Barron tallied a goal and four assists, for five points in as many games versus the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Upon the conclusion of his major junior career, Barron moved on to the Avalanche organization, appearing in two games with the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage, before joining the East Coast Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles. Barron scored two goals, and five assists, for seven points on his ECHL’s squad’s 20-game run to a Kelly Cup championship.
Since then, Barron has split time between the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, and Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. In three seasons, from 2018-2021, Barron scored three goals, and three assists, for six points in 54 games with the Eagles, to go with 21 goals, and 30 assists, for 51 points in 75 games as a member of the Grizzlies.
During the 2021 offseason, Barron signed a minor-league contract with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, minor league team of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, who now boast Tourigny behind their bench as head coach.
“Tucson, it’s almost like it’s a fresh start,” said Barron. “Tucson seemed like a good fit for me, so I came out here, and didn’t have any expectations. didn’t really know anybody on the team. The guys are great. I fit in well, and it’s fun. I really enjoy it here, and obviously the weather is great.”
“When I signed in Tucson, I was obviously excited that ‘Bear’ and (former 67’s assistant coach Mario Duhamel) were joining the organization.”
It is a fitting “full-circle” moment for Barron, as he works toward his achieving his NHL dreams. Those who watched him captain the 67’s have no doubt in his ability to get there.
