To that, Barron views his freshman season as a success. The 2017 sixth-round pick registered five goals and added 13 assists for 18 points in 33 contests for the Big Red. He said he adjusted well to playing against older and bigger opponents than what he had faced at St. Andrew's College in Canada, as well as during his short stint with Sioux City of the United States Hockey League.
"It was a lot of fun," Barron said of his first campaign at the school. "It was a little bit different getting adjusted to the college game. We came up a little bit short but we have a core group of guys and I gained a lot of confidence that I can compete against guys older than me and building on it next year and producing more."
Barron was building confidence right from the start of the year. He scored in his first game against Alabama-Huntsville and went on to register a point in each of his first seven collegiate games, something no player in school history had done prior.
"It was good, obviously for my own confidence, but also in gaining the confidence of my teammates and coaches," Barron said of his hot start.
Barron certainly gained the confidence of his teammates early and throughout the season, leading to him earning the team's Greg Ratushny Award given to the rookie with the promising future as voted on by the team itself.
"That was great for me. I was happy," Barron stated. "Those are the guys I'm spending hours and hours with. They see me every game and every practice. That was a great honor."
