Winnipeg Jets select Colby Barlow No. 18 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

The Winnipeg Jets have drafted Owen Sound Attack forward Colby Barlow with the No. 18 overall pick

The “man child,” as he is often referred to, notched a team-leading 46 goals and 79 points in 59 games this past season while captaining the Attack. He would add three goals in four OHL playoff games. His 46 goals accounted for almost 20% of the Attack’s goals this season.

“Barlow has scored at all levels and is as confident as anyone handling the puck. There’s room for his all-around game to grow, but scoring clearly isn’t an issue. He was banged up during the OHL playoffs but had a decent showing at the U-18s.”

Barlow was named to the OHL’s first all-star team and also took home both the OHL and CHL’s scholastic player of the year.

Barlow represented Canada on two different occasions, once at the U18 World Championships in Switzerland, where he tallied three goals and four points to capture a bronze medal; he also donned the Canadian sweater at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scoring five points and winning a gold medal.

“The reality is, Barlow has a very safe projection as a complementary piece on a scoring line who can be on the ice to protect a lead or when a goal is needed,” said Brock Otten of McKeen’s Hockey” Goal scorers who play both ends effectively are rare. These types typically transition to the NHL very well.”

Barlow joins a prospect pipeline that features Chaz Lucius and Brad Lambert to name a couple of players. It is assumed that the Orillia, Ontario product will return to major junior and resume his captain role with the Attack for the 2023-24 season.