OHL 20 in 20: Barrie Colts

The Barrie Colts have been aggressive in their approach throughout the summer and into training camp, establishing themselves as one of a handful of Eastern Conference teams starting to jump off the page. The Colts reached Game 7 of the second round two years ago with a veteran-heavy roster anchored by star defender Brandt Clarke before taking a step back and entering the playoffs as the eighth seed last season. Needless to say, the Colts are back after a quick re-tool, and won’t be an easy two points in 2024-25.

Five Questions Heading Into 2024-25:

1. Are the Colts a legitimate Eastern Conference heavyweight?
If there’s a team that’s made the moves to re-classify itself in some minds moving into the new season, it’s probably the Barrie Colts. Adding a Dallas Stars prospect trifecta in Emil Hemming through the CHL Import Draft along with Tristan Bertucci and Brad Gardiner by way of trade has them positioned well. Their existing core from last year was already one that showed promise, led by hard-working two-way centre Cole Beaudoin, whose “heavy” game is among the most effective in the OHL. We’re about to talk about another guy who is more or less a new addition in Beau Akey, who missed most of the 2023-24 season to shoulder surgery.

2. Is Akey recovered a ready for a full season?
Akey steps in and immediately gives the Colts one of the best free range, mobile blueliners in the OHL. If he can stay healthy, you’ll see the Edmonton Oilers second round pick a lot as he and Bertucci will run point on a Barrie powerplay that’s looking more and more like it’ll be one of the league’s top units.

3. Can Aitcheson be one of the league’s best?
Fast, physical and developing an offensive element to his game, Kashawn Aitcheson has quickly become that defender who has his opponent’s attention at all times. He’s engaged in the game from start to finish, and hands out some punishing body checks both in open ice and along the boards. A late September birthday, Aitcheson has made his way onto experts draft boards as he prepares for his NHL Draft eligible season patrolling the blueline for what looks to be a competitive squad in Barrie. The stakes get a little higher for Aitcheson this year, and it’ll be interesting to see if his game ascends with them.

4. Is Hillebrandt ready for the spotlight?
One of the league’s great stories, Sam Hillebrandt has gone from an undrafted kid from Riverview, Florida to the PJHL’s Stayner Siskins, to the Colts all the way up to the U.S. National Junior Team. Now 19, the late bloomer was great in the Barrie crease last year, getting into 36 games in a platoon with overager Ben West before really impressing in the playoffs, giving the Colts a fighting chance against the eventual conference champion Oshawa Generals. It’s Hillebrandt’s job to run with now – let’s see how he does in a starting role.

5. What will Hemming bring to the offence?
Barrie’s has historically had success getting big name Europeans to come over and don the horse shoes, with mixed results. Alexandre Volchkov, Denis Shvidki and Martin Skoula were all big names in the franchise’s infancy and in recent years, the Colts have featured Carolina Hurricanes star Andrei Svechnikov along with first round NHL picks Oskar Olausson and Eduard Sale. The latter two didn’t break the game open during their time in Barrie, and found new homes elsewhere in the league, but it will be interesting to see Hemming’s impact as he comes from a full season of playing against men in Finland’s top circuit with TPS Turku. At 6-foot-1, 205Ibs., he’s ready for the rigours of a 68-game schedule, and he’ll be given every opportunity to thrive under veteran coach Marty Williamson.