Philadelphia Flyers’ Denver Barkey was Canada’s most surprising cut ahead of world juniors

With Hockey Canada announcing its 22-man roster for the upcoming 2024 World Juniors, Daily Faceoff prospect guru Steven Ellis joins the show to talk about how London Knights forward and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey is one of Canada’s most surprising cuts ahead of the tournament. 

Frank Seravalli: We are talking about the World Juniors being 11 days away. Canada has cut their roster as their camp has wound down, which was just near you in Oakville. Ontario. So Steven when you look at some of the surprising cuts, and for me it was Jagger Firkus who has 27 goals in 29 games this year, but do you think someone else was more deserving to make the team? 

Steven Ellis: Yeah obviously with the way the coaching staff gets to see these guys it’s only a few days and the first day is travel and the guys are tired and then you get a mini scrimmage and two exhibition games. I think Firkus played himself off of this team, I have seen a lot of him over the last couple of years and he just didn’t seem engaged with the puck, struggled defensively and was nowhere to be found on the scoresheet. In terms of players who just didn’t impress, it was him.

Steven Ellis: But one guy who impressed me and shocked me and didn’t make the team was Denver Barkey, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect. That’s one where Alan Letang even singled him out in both post-game press conferences as one of the best players on the team. For him to not make it, is very surprising. He’s been having a very good year with the London Knights in the OHL, with 41 points in 28 games. Great energy guy, a third or fourth-line contributor. But when it’s between him and Easton Cowan, another London forward, I was surprised it was Cowan who made it as I thought Barkey looked better.

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