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Update: Barrie Comments on Jr. Invite

June 11, 2010 - Kelowna Capital News

By Warren Henderson - Kelowna Capital News:

It's a case of better late than never for Tyson Barrie.

After being passed over last year, the Kelowna Rockets defenceman has been invited to attend the Canadian junior team's evaluation camp this summer in St. John's.

Twenty-two of the camp's 45 invitees will make Canada's final roster for the world junior championship Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Buffalo.

The Victoria native is thrilled to get one step closer to one of his lifelong goals.

"I'm really excited about, all I can ask for is a tryout and I'm getting one," said Barrie. "It's something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

"I was disappointed at not getting asked last year, but I realize what a great program it is and how many good players they have to choose from. Now I want to show them what I can do."

As the WHL's defenceman of the year in 2009-10, it's hardly a surprise to see Barrie's name included on the list of 17 prospective blueliners.

He also tied for the regular season most points among defenceman with 72.

Barrie will have some familiar company at this year's evaluation camp as Rockets head coach Ryan Huska was named recently to the Canadian coaching staff.

"Ryan's been great to me and it's nice to see him get this opportunity," said Barrie, who turns 19 on July 26. "It's good that he'll be there so I'll be familar with at least one element of the coaching staff."

Barrie hopes to be the latest in a long line of Rockets defenceman who have made Canada's junior team in the past—Josh Gorges, Shea Weber, Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers among them.

"I'll try not to disappoint the team and the standard those guys have set," added Barrie. "There's been a lot of talk about the Rockets defence and the success they've. I hope I can follow them."