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April 05, 2014

67's Select Travis Barron Third Overall

The Ottawa 67’s have taken center-left winger Travis Barron third overall in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection draft, the fourth year in a row that Ottawa has selected a forward in the first round.

Barron put up 41 points in 30 games in the GTHL, although his breakthrough came in the OHL Cup when he was a point-per-game player in a second-place finish for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

It’s entirely possible that the Barberpoles use Barron alongside the first overall pick from 2013 Travis Konecny, after the 67’s lost both of Konecny’s regular linemates in Joseph Blandisi to trade and Ryan Van Stralen to overage status.

While it’ll be tough to fill the void of either player, the 6’1 Barron has drawn comparisons to Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings for his physical play and ability to score around the net.

"I'm a playmaking forward," Barron told forsehockey.com.  "My strengths are my shot, my vision, and I like to throw my weight around."

Last time Ottawa picked third overall in the draft was 1995, where they selected defenceman Nick Boynton.  Boynton was a huge piece in the team’s 1999 Memorial Cup win and played seven games for the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.


Ottawa makes their second pick 24th overall in the draft.   For a team that finished with a conference-worst 308 goals against, it’s likely they select a defenceman in the second round for the fifth year in a row.

Barron took to Twitter immediately after being selected by Ottawa.

"Huge honour to be selected 3rd overall.  Could not have asked for anything better!"

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