Prospect Q&A: Travis Barron

Travis Barron was selected 191st overall by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2016 NHL Draft and is entering his second pro season with the organization. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward spent his first full professional campaign in 2018-19 with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League and the ECHL Utah Grizzlies. The left wing suited up for 38 games with the Eagles--recording five points (three goals, two assists)--and 12 games with the Grizzlies, tallying eight points (two goals, six assists).

The Brampton, Ontario, native played four seasons with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (2014-2018), registering 149 points (59 goals, 90 assists) in 250 total games. At the end of the 2017-18 season, the 21-year-old forward joined the then ECHL Eagles during their playoff run. He finished the postseason with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 20 games as the Eagles went on to the capture the Kelly Cup champions.
Barron recently sat down with ColoradoAvalanche.com to discuss his first full professional season and the upcoming campaign.
How was your experience playing your first full professional season with the Colorado Eagles and Utah Grizzlies last year?
"Lots of Learning curves. It was great though, you can't be upset about it. I met a lot of good people, learned a lot from the coaching staff and got to play in front of some of the best fans in the American League. It was a fun year all in all."
What did you learn the most from winning the Kelly Cup with the Eagles in 2017-18?
"I leaped right into there from junior, so that was a big step up for me. To win that at such a young age was surreal. You know, people play their whole careers to win a pro championship, and I crossed it off early. I was lucky that way, and like I said, it was a great crowd in Northern Colorado."
You were selected as team captain in your final two seasons with the Ottawa 67's, what did that mean to you?
"Ottawa is a second home to me, I loved it there. Lot of great relationships with a lot of people, I will have a connection to Ottawa for the rest of my life. Being a leader there was also really important to me, such a storied organization and to be a captain for that organization was an honor."
How was your summer training leading up to training camp?
"It was busy, a lot of hard work. I had fun with family and friends and tried to get on the golf course as much as I could. I did a lot of hard work in the gym, but I had some fun times too."

What is your favorite thing to do in Colorado?
"Honestly, I have kind of become a sucker for hikes. We don't have the scenery like this in Ontario, so a few of us last year went up to different reservoirs and hiking trails. It's eye opening for me."
What are you most excited for in the upcoming season?
"Fresh season, fresh start for myself and everyone else. You're here to make the team. It's going to be fun, going to be hard, and I'm looking forward to it.
What part of your game do you think you improved the most from last season?
"Speed and my overall skill. I did a lot of work in the summer that had to do with my skill, and I feel like I came a long way so that's important to me."
How did you start playing hockey?
"Generations of my family have played hockey so I was in skates before I knew it, and I looked up to my older brother--he was a hockey player. Playing mini sticks in the basement, road hockey, pond hockey--It's been in my life forever."
Who is your all-time favorite player?
"I got to go with Mats Sundin. I was a huge Leafs fan growing up, so he was awesome to watch and he was great."