Denver Barkey, the Flyers’ 2023 third-round pick and former London Knights Captain, delivered a standout performance in the first game of the 2025 Rookie Series against the New York Rangers rookies on September 12 at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Flyers’ prospects rallied from a 3-2 deficit to secure a 4-3 overtime victory, with Barkey emerging as one of the most consistent and impactful forwards on the ice.
Here were some key Highlights of Barkey’s Performance:
- Goal and Offensive Contribution: Barkey scored the Flyers’ first goal of the game on a sharp cross-ice feed from third-year pro Tucker Robertson, helping to spark the comeback after an early 2-0 deficit. His line with center Jacob Gaucher and winger Devin Kaplan was particularly effective, accounting for two of the three regulation goals.
- Speed, Hustle, and Two-Way Play: Described as the most consistently impressive forward shift after shift, Barkey showcased his high-energy style with explosive speed, relentless puck pursuit, and strong defensive tenacity. He demonstrated maturity in using his pace to create momentum shifts and make composed plays, which bodes well for his transition to professional hockey.
- Role in the Game: As a projected top-six winger with penalty-kill and secondary power-play duties, Barkey looked polished and ready for the next level, contributing to the team’s resilience despite limited time together as a unit.
Denver Barkey, the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2023 third-round pick and former London Knights captain, delivered a standout performance in the first game of the 2025 Rookie Series against the New York Rangers rookies on September 12 at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Flyers’ prospects rallied from a 3-2 deficit to secure a 4-3 overtime victory, with Barkey emerging as one of the most consistent and impactful forwards on the ice.Key Highlights of Barkey’s Performance:
- Goal and Offensive Contribution: Barkey scored the Flyers’ first goal of the game on a sharp cross-ice feed from third-year pro Tucker Robertson, helping to spark the comeback after an early 2-0 deficit. His line with center Jacob Gaucher and winger Devin Kaplan was particularly effective, accounting for two of the three regulation goals.
- Speed, Hustle, and Two-Way Play: Described as the most consistently impressive forward shift after shift, Barkey showcased his high-energy style with explosive speed, relentless puck pursuit, and strong defensive tenacity. He demonstrated maturity in using his pace to create momentum shifts and make composed plays, which bodes well for his transition to professional hockey.
- Role in the Game: As a projected top-six winger with penalty-kill and secondary power-play duties, Barkey looked polished and ready for the next level, contributing to the team’s resilience despite limited time together as a unit.
This effort aligns with Barkey’s strong junior season (82 points in 50 OHL games) and his Memorial Cup-winning run with the Knights earlier in 2025, despite playing through a high-ankle sprain. The second game of the series is scheduled for September 13 at 5 p.m. EDT, where Barkey could build on this momentum as the Flyers evaluate prospects for potential AHL spots with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms or even NHL contention later in the 2025-26 season.
Barkey now has 4g,2a in his last three rookie games, and his effort last night is one main reason why he will become an NHL mainstay in the future.
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