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Barberio was selected 152nd overall at the NHL entry draft. (ANDRE RINGUETTE/Getty Images)
Beaconsfield's Barberio drafted by NHL
18-year-old defenceman picked up by Tampa Bay
John Meagher
The Gazette
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Barberio was selected 152nd overall at the NHL entry draft. (ANDRE RINGUETTE/Getty Images)
Before he was old enough to tie his own laces, Beaconsfield’s Mark Barberio was told his skating needed improvement.
Well, the years of hard work paid off Saturday when Barberio, an 18-year-old junior defenceman with the Moncton Wildcats, was selected 152nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the National Hockey League Entry Draft in Ottawa.
“It really was something special to be drafted with my family there,” said Barberio, who grew up cheering for his hometown Canadiens.
“I didn’t even know I was on Tampa Bay’s radar, but I was really happy when they called my name in the sixth round.”
A couple of former Lac St. Louis Tigers midget espoirs defencemen also had their names called at the draft: Jordan Southorn of the Prince Edward Island Rocket was picked 104th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, while Jason Demers of the Victoriaville Tigres went 186th overall to the San Jose Sharks.
Barberio’s father said his son’s career has been a study in perseverance.
“Ever since Mark was in atom, they told him he was never going to make it because his skating wasn’t good enough,” Jerry Barberio recalled.
“But Mark kept battling. He’s such a workaholic.”
Mark Barberio said he’s worked hard to improve his skating.
“I always had a funny skating stride. It’s wide and there is a kind of hop that I do. I’m improving my foot speed, but it’s more about skating mechanics. I rely on my positioning to get to the puck first.”
“All of Lakeshore Minor Hockey is very proud of Mark,” said Chris Sides, Lakeshore’s vice-president of hockey operations.
“He has worked hard to get to this level.”
The 1990-born Barberio now joins fellow Lakeshore hockey product Alex Killorn, who was drafted 77th overall last year by the Lightning, as Florida-bound NHL prospects.
Killorn, who opted for the American college route over junior, is headed to Harvard University in the fall.
Barberio played his minor hockey for Lakeshore, winning a provincial championship in atom under head coach Rick Rusk.
Jerry Barberio said his son later blossomed as a teenager under the tutelage of Jim Webster and François Lacombe at the Webster Hockey Academy.
“Those guys did a terrific job with Mark. He learned a lot from them.”
The 6-foot-1, 201-pound Barberio played midget Triple-A hockey for Danny Dupont’s Lac St. Louis Lions before heading to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League two years ago at age 16.
Barberio was originally drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, but was traded to the Moncton Wildcats midway through his rookie season for the late Luc Bourdon.
Barberio shone with the Wildcats, earning a spot on the QMJHL’s 2006-07 All-Rookie team.
He finished second in Wildcats scoring this season with 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points in 70 games, and represented Canada in the 2007 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.
Of course, getting drafted in the sixth round doesn’t guarantee Barberio a career in the NHL.
“It’s more like getting your foot in the door,” Jerry Barberio said.
“Now, the real work starts for Mark.”
All over again.