Ryan Barrow has emerged as a key member of Denver’s shutdown line in this, his second, season with the Pioneers.

A swift skater with a fearless streak, he’s not adverse to running into or over opponents, and he has generated more offense as the season has gone along. After just two points in the first 12 games, he had seven in the next six, including goals in three consecutive games.

The sophomore, who was an NCHC Distinguished Scholar Athlete and an ACHA All-American Scholar last season, says he feels at home in Colorado’s Front Range, and that’s no coincidence either because home for him is Banff, Alberta.

You’ve seen him play for the Pioneers, now get to know Ryan Barrow a little bit better off the ice.

Tell us about your background and how you started in hockey?

It was definitely my dad’s influence. I’m from a small town in Alberta which is pretty similar to Aspen, so I skied and played hockey as a kid. A bunch of my friends stuck with skiing, and I was the only one who stuck with hockey. I just loved it so much.

Did you have to travel long distances to play?

From Pee Wee until first-year Midget I would have to drive an hour and a half to practice twice a week, and then games Saturday and Sunday. My dad did a lot of the driving.

Is there one thing in particular you’d want a visitor to your beautiful hometown of Banff, Alberta, to see?

I’d probably take them up the mountain. The golf course is pretty spectacular, and I like to golf, so I usually recommend that.

When the team gets together and plays golf, who is the shark?

Jack Doremus likes to think it’s him, but Les Lancaster‘s the best.

When you were considering options for colleges, what were some of the draws of Denver?

Obviously it’s really close to home and has an unbelievable campus. It’s really comparable to where I’m from, which is nice. Obviously the reputation to win is like none other, and winning is fun. I’m a competitive guy, so that’s what took me here.

As I’ve watched you play these past couple of years a couple of things have stood out to me, and that competitiveness is certainly one of those. Another is your skating, which seems as though it’s improved. What have you done to develop your skating?

I’m a pretty lengthy guy so working with (strength coach Matt) Shaw these last two summers when I stayed in Denver has helped me get stronger. I might not be putting on a ton of weight, but it’s helped me get stronger for the weight I am. My pound-for-pound strength has gotten a lot better, which has certainly helped me.

Speaking of summer, you had the opportunity to go to the Washington Capitals prospects camp. What were your take-aways from that?

It was unbelievable. You try to take in as much as you can. It was a fun camp to go to because they’d just won the Cup. Everyone in the organization was in a good mood. It was a lot of fun to be around that. Then to learn from a really good NHL team what it takes and what they expect out of NHL players on a day-to-day basis. I got a small taste of that.

What were your impressions of Washington, D.C., and had you ever been there before?

I’d never been there, and I thought it was really cool. I actually got to see the White House. We had a little down time on the last day.

You’ve been on a line with Jaakko Heikkinen and Colin Staub the past few months, and the group really has turned it up the past six weeks or so. What is behind that?

Our first game together was against Duluth. We needed a shutdown line because we had a bunch of lines scoring. They put us together. We’re all pretty similar – very competitive – and I think we’re all pretty good in the D zone. We work well together because we talk a lot. That really helps us on the ice. We’re not scared to tell each other if we see things or if we need to adjust to certain things. Having Colin, he’s a tremendous leader and a super hard worker, so it’s a lot of fun to play with him.

Are you particular about any of your gear?

Not really actually. I’m not too particular about, say, my sticks. Liam Finlay is pretty particular about his sticks.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to golf when I can. I really enjoy that.

What is one tip you’d offer a beer-league player?

Don’t try too hard. People don’t like that in beer leagues. Don’t try too hard, just have fun.

OK, I’ll take that to heart and try to dial it back. 

Sounds good.

Is there someone on the team who is an excellent cook?

I think (Erich) Fear is a pretty good cook from what I’ve heard. I live with Ian Mitchell. He likes to think he’s a pretty good cook, but he’s not as good as he thinks.

Speaking of food, what is the breakfast of champions?

Probably two eggs, some yogurt and raspberries.

Which teammate would make an ideal coach down the road?

I could see Ian Mitchell. I think he’d be a pretty good coach. Or Tyson (McLellan), like his dad.

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