Jets take Colby Barlow 18th overall

The Winnipeg Jets selected Colby Barlow with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Colby Barlow

Position: Left wing
Height: 6-foot-0.5
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Club: Owen Sound (OHL)
Nationality: 🇨🇦
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 12th among North American skaters

2022-23 stats

Barlow is among the best finishers in the draft. Over the past decade, only three draft-eligible OHL forwards have scored more than the 46 goals Barlow tallied this season: Buffalo's Jack Quinn, Los Angeles' Arthur Kaliyev, and Ottawa's Alex DeBrincat.

That production made him a first-team OHL All-Star at season's end, the lone draft-eligible player to make the All-Star team.

Ranked the No. 10 North American skater on Central Scouting's midterm list, Barlow slipped to No. 12 in the final edition. While his goal-scoring increased with 23 goals in 28 games during the second half of the season, his overall point production decreased down the stretch.

In addition to his immense goal-scoring ability, Barlow's been lauded for his leadership qualities. He became the youngest captain in Owen Sound Attack history at the start of the season and was named the CHL's Scholastic Player of the Year for 2022-23.

The Orillia, Ontario, native battled through a nagging injury while playing a major role at the U18s in April. Barlow logged over 22 minutes in Canada's semifinal loss against Sweden and tallied a goal in the bronze-medal game versus Slovakia.

Barlow will return to the OHL with Owen Sound next season.

What they're saying

"Barlow is a goal-scorer with an elite release who doesn't require much room to rip pucks on net," Sportsnet's Jason Bukala wrote. "He's a threat off the half wall and net front at even strength and on the power play."

"He has a high floor and should safely become a strong third-line player but also has the upside to become more if things really click in his north-south game at the next level," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote.

"Barlow is a well-rounded winger," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "He's a hard-working forward who has some physicality, can kill penalties, and is quite physically advanced for his age. Offensively, he has excellent stick skills and a great shot."

Click here to watch Barlow's highlights.