Colby Barlow’s debut season with the Oshawa Generals has been one of growth, perseverance and execution under pressure.
After returning from NHL preseason action with the Winnipeg Jets, who selected him 18th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Barlow was part of a significant trade that sent him from the Owen Sound Attack to the Generals ahead of the 2024-25 OHL season.
Despite the immense amount of anticipation, suiting up in red, white and navy blue proved challenging for the 20-year-old forward, as the start of his campaign was much slower than expected. He didn’t register a point in his first six games, an unusually long offensive drought for Barlow.
Gradually, Barlow found his groove alongside his new teammates and incoming coach Brad Malone. By the end of the regular season, he recorded 32 goals and 61 points in 62 games, helping Oshawa finish fourth in a tight Eastern Conference.
His quiet confidence reflects how far he has come this season – not just statistically, but in his overall game and veteran leadership. In a year that tested his resilience, Barlow emerged as a more complete player.
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“I’ve had a blast this year,” he said. “It’s a great group of guys, and I’ve learned so much about myself. Learnt different parts of my game that I didn’t know I had. The guys went on a deep run last year, and they’ve poured a lot of that experience onto me, which I took and ran with. It’s been amazing.”
That playoff experience, combined with Barlow’s willingness to evolve, became a major asset as the season progressed. Opponents worked to neutralize his scoring touch, but he responded by rounding out his game. The Generals coaching staff challenged him not to be a one-dimensional player, and Barlow rose to meet that challenge.
“I’m very proud,” said Malone. “We both came into the organization at the beginning of the year, so we were figuring out different situations together. In that, we found a connection in trying to help each other. [Barlow] has gotten better every day. The things that I saw in the room are something that you wouldn’t see show up on the stat sheet, especially when things weren’t going well for him at the start of the year.”
For Malone, the wins weren’t just on the scoreboard—they were in the intangibles.
“It said a lot to me about his character and what he’ll be able to do in the future. That’s something I value as a coach: players who have good character and are here for the team, not just themselves. Now he’s succeeding in the spotlight, but for me, the win came much earlier in the year when things were tough and he just continued to push.”
Barlow has turned that early-season adversity into fuel, exploding in the playoffs when it matters most. With each round, he’s elevated his play – stepping up in key moments, making clutch plays, and setting the tone for the Generals both on and off the ice. He currently ranks among the top five point producers throughout the postseason and leads the league with seven power play goals.
His production, leadership, and compete level have been instrumental in helping Oshawa earn a spot in the OHL Championship Series for a second straight year against the London Knights.
For Barlow, the ups and downs of the season have only sharpened his focus—and now, he’s leading by example on the league’s biggest stage, proving he has the talent and maturity to thrive at the next level. However, with the OHL Championship Series tied 1-1, Barlow knows the job isn’t finished just yet.
Tune into tonight’s Game 3 of the series at 7:00pm on TSN 1/5 or streaming online on OHL Live.
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