Over the past 30 years in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche have seen countless key players pass through their ranks. Some lifted multiple Stanley Cups, others captured just one, and a few never found much success in burgundy and blue but still left an impact later on. one of those notable figures revealed that he is officially retiring from hockey.
Top defenseman who patrolled Colorado’s blue line for most of eight seasons from 2012 to 2019, has officially announced his retirement. Drafted 64th overall in the third round back in 2009, Barrie broke into the pros with the Lake Erie Monsters before making his Avalanche debut. Known for his offensive spark from the back end, he set a team mark with an 11-game point streak by a defenseman (a record Cale Makar has since surpassed twice, though Steve Duchesne still holds the franchise’s all-time streak at 15).
During his eight-year run in Denver, Barrie amassed 307 points, along with 512 blocks and 327 hits across 484 games. He also chipped in 14 points in 21 playoff appearances. While Makar has raised the bar for what an offensive defenseman looks like in Colorado, Barrie’s steady production made him a key piece of the team throughout the 2010s.
He endured the Avalanche’s brutal 48-point 2016-17 season but remained a locker room leader during that stretch. More importantly, his legacy is tied to what his departure brought the franchise.
In the summer of 2019, Colorado shipped Barrie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a package deal that brought back Nazem Kadri. That trade proved pivotal — Kadri became a cornerstone of the Avalanche’s resurgence and played a crucial role in their 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
Ultimately, Barrie’s time in Colorado was defined not only by his contributions on the ice but also by the key piece he helped bring in, solidifying his place in Avalanche history.
Following his stint with the Avalanche, Barrie went on to play a season in Toronto, three years in Edmonton, two in Nashville, and wrapped up with a year in Calgary. Limited ice time over his final two campaigns signaled that the end of his career was near. In total, he appeared in 822 NHL games and tallied 508 points.
While Barrie won’t be remembered among the all-time Avalanche legends, his name will always hold a place in team history and come up fondly when looking back on past rosters.