Denver Barkey continues to shoot up the leaderboard in the OHL, while Oliver Bonk has been named Defenseman of the month

Photo Credit: The London Knights

Denver Barkey is a ball of energy and just fun to be around.The sport of hockey is quite unique, it really brings people together. So much so, Barkey loves playing for the London Knights, mainly due to their proud fan base. Dirt is 7th short-handed goal of the season yesterday, which leads the OHL. In addition, Barkey registered an assist to become tied for third in the OHL in scoring with 69 points (26g,43a).

So what can Flyers fans expect from Barkey when he signs his Entry-Level-Contract (ELC) and plays for the Flyers, “Someone to show up to the rink everyday. A player that can play up and down the lineup,” Barkey said to Jamey Baskow in an exclusive interview a few months ago.

Barkey continued, “My parents are a huge inspiration. My grandpa also inspired me. Kind of see the Pro when he played in the NHL. That was one of his dreams (For his Grandpa to make the NHL).” Some don’t know that Barkey’s Grandpa played professional hockey. Randy Legge, Denver’s Grandpa, played for the New York Rangers, and wound up playing 12 games for the Rangers during his professional career. Legge was a right-handed defenseman, believe it or not, as he stood at 5’11. Of course, Barkey stands at 5’9, but he could fill out more as he is still only 18-years-old.

Oliver Bonk

Oliver Bonk has been on fire as of late, and he was given a pretty good honor over a day ago, while being named Defenseman of the Month. He registered an assist last night, and he is now 3rd in the OHL in scoring by defensemen with 52 points (16g,36a). Bonk continues his fabulous season.

Bonk’s dad of course was former NHL’er Radek Bonk, who was a very good Center in his prime. Oliver Bonk may be trying to fill his dad’s shoes. One thing to note is that Oliver loves the mullet, but he did shave it off at Flyers rookie camp. Both Barkey and Bonk know what it takes to succeed at the professional level, and that starts with hard-work. Yes, they do understand nothing can be taken for granted, one day you may be in this league, the next day maybe not. It starts with hard-work and dedication, and both have those traits.

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Asides from both Bonk and Barkey being good at the sport of hockey, sometimes we as people forget that both are human beings. Both are family men, they love their families and really appreciate all the sacrifices that each of their families sacrificed for them to even to get drafted by the Flyers, “I talk to my dad on gameday,” Bonk said to me in an exclusive interview a few months ago. His dad is his biggest inspiration and supporter of him, “I just say hi, how are you, how are things going (General talk).” They both like to talk about hockey, and they talk about certain plays. However, Radek (Bonk’s dad) leaves the coaching stuff up to the coaches, Oliver Bonk said.