Knights’ Barkey inspired by mentor, three-time Memorial Cup champion Darcy Tucker
Philadelphia Flyers prospect and London Knights forward Denver Barkey is inspired by the legacy of his former coach and CHL alumnus Darcy Tucker as he aims to bring the Memorial Cup back to London for the first time since 2016. Ahead of London’s Monday night game against the WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors, Barkey had the opportunity to visit the Memorial Cup Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit, where he reflected on the lessons learned from Tucker, a three-time Memorial Cup champion.
Barkey is no stranger to the significance of winning the Memorial Cup. He gained valuable insights from his former Toronto Titans AAA coach who won three Memorial Cups with the Kamloops Blazers in 1992, 1994, and 1995. Tucker later became a notable player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing 14 seasons in the NHL with the Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Colorado Avalanche.
“I remember he used to tell me a lot of stories about his time in junior hockey, winning the Memorial Cup three times,” Barkey told Knights radio analyst Jim Van Horne. “He was a pretty intense coach as well. He cared a lot about developing all of us as players. He was a great coach to play for. He taught me a lot about what it takes to even be a smaller player and make it to the next level.”
Standing at 5-foot-9 and 154lbs., Barkey found Tucker’s guidance particularly valuable. Tucker, who was 5-foot-10 and 178lbs. during his professional career, offered advice on overcoming the challenges of being a smaller player on the ice.
“I think we could relate through that topic of just being a small, gritty forward. A lot of the advice he gave has helped me get to where I’m at today,” said Barkey.
Reflecting on his relationship with his former coach, Barkey found excitement in seeing a pair of Tucker’s gloves displayed at the exhibit.
“It says, ‘gloves worn by Darcy Tucker of the Kamloops Blazers as they captured the 1995 Memorial Cup championship with an 8-2 victory over the Detroit Junior Red Wings’. That’s pretty cool.”
Aspiring to see his own gloves in the exhibit 20 years from now, Barkey is focused on continuing the Knights’ winning ways at the 104th Memorial Cup. The team will face off against the Moose Jaw Warriors tonight at 7:30 PM at the Dow Event Centre in Saginaw, Michigan. Tune in on TSN and on NHL Network in the United States.