Barkey battles back from injury to hoist J. Ross Robertson Cup after Game 5 return
Championships are often defined by grit, leadership, and sacrifice.
For London Knights captain Denver Barkey, the 2024-25 title run embodied all three, even as he watched much of it from the press box.
Injured during Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Kitchener Rangers, Barkey’s playoff impact on the ice was cut short. But off the ice, his leadership never wavered. From the dressing room to the bench, his voice remained a constant for a resilient Knights roster that rose to the occasion under pressure.
He becomes the third captain in the past five seasons to hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup while battling through injury, joining Colton Kammerer (Hamilton Bulldogs, 2021-22) and Shawn Spearing (Peterborough Petes, 2022-23). It’s a rare and telling pattern: captains leading not just with their play, but with their presence.
“You never really want to sit in the stands and watch a game with injuries holding you out,” Barkey said. “I get antsy and just want to get out there and make a difference. So in terms of that, it obviously sucks watching in the crowd, but we’ve got a great team — a resilient group. In my absence, guys have really stepped up and it’s been cool to watch.”
That energy helped power the Knights through the final rounds. They swept the Rangers in four straight in the Conference Final and, after a rocky Game 1 of the OHL Championship Series, stormed back to win four consecutive games and capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup in Game 5 over the Oshawa Generals.
Barkey suited up for the championship game but saw limited ice time. Still, his presence in the locker room carried weight. As a captain, teammate, and motivator, his leadership spoke volumes.
“All credit goes to these guys. They gave me the chance to maybe get in for another game,” he said. “I’m just trying to focus on myself, continue to get better, and lead off the ice and in the room. When you have a positive attitude, you bring positive energy.”
The Philadelphia Flyers prospect finished the 2025 playoffs with 20 points (9-11–20) in 10 games, a productive finish to a season that also saw him named OHL Humanitarian of the Year for his tremendous work in the community.
In joining Kammerer and Spearing, Barkey proves that leadership extends far beyond the scoresheet. Showing that sometimes the most powerful role a captain can play is being the heartbeat from the sidelines.
The Knights are hopeful that with a week’s rest, Barkey can return to the lineup at 100 percent, giving their lethal power play a crafty presence on the CHL’s biggest stage.
