It’s done: the Owen Sound Attack have traded Colby Barlow.
The Attack finalized a trade for their captain Thursday, sending the 19-year-old Winnipeg Jets prospect to the Oshawa Generals in exchange for forward Tristan Delisle, defenceman David Bedkowski and six draft picks.
There had been speculation about a move involving Barlow since he opted against attending Attack training camp. He then formally requested a trade after being reassigned to the OHL by the Winnipeg Jets.
The trade closes ends the tenure in Owen Sound of one the most dynamic scorers Attack fans have had the pleasure of watching at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Barlow’s 116 goals are sixth-most in Owen Sound franchise history. He was a first-round pick of the Attack in 2021 and burst onto the scene with 30 goals as a rookie in 2021-22 — the most in Owen Sound franchise history for a 16-year-old player. The Orillia native then put together back-to-back seasons with 40-plus, scoring 46 times in 2022-23 and then 40 times in 2023-24.
“Let’s be honest. It’s the captain of your team. It’s a bit disappointing he requested a trade. But it’s also a very difficult deal to get put in place because of the value you hold on a player like Colby, and his ability,” says Owen Sound Attack General Manager Dale DeGray in an interview. “I think the deal we’ve got in place for Colby, I think is fantastic. The two players coming in will be able to slide right into our lineup and contribute. And, of course, the picks that we’ve got will certainly help us out down the road.”
The draft picks coming to Owen Sound are all Oshawa’s: two second-round (2026 and 2027), two third-round (2025 and 2026), a fifth-round in 2028 and a seventh round in 2026.
Delisle, 17, is in his second OHL season after being drafted by the Generals in the third round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. The Cornwall native had 18 points — seven goals and 11 assists — in 63 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
“I think Tristan falls in to exactly the way our coaches want to play. He’s got lots of speed. He’s a good playmaker. But I think most of all, he competes like crazy,” DeGray says. “His work ethic is very high. And I think the coaches will find a way to really find a spot for him in the lineup on a nightly basis, and then it will be up to him to see how high he can move up the roster.”
Tristan has a bit of a connection to Owen Sound that’s worth noting. His dad is Miguel Delisle, who had a brief and productive stint with the Attack in the early 2000s. Miguel appeared in 33 games for the Attack during the 2002-03 campaign, recording 40 points in 31 games.
Bedkowski, 17, is a third-year player who will provide the Attack with added size and grit on their blueline. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defenceman was a second-round pick of the Generals in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. He had 12 points, 48 penalty minutes and a plus-5 rating in 68 games for Oshawa last season.
“Real solid, physical, athletic and very mobile for a guy that size. He competes and will make life difficult in the defensive zone,” DeGray says of Bedkowski. “He’s one of those guys I really liked in minor midget. And being a late birthday, this is his draft (year). So he’s going to want to get in and compete, and show everybody what he can do. Not just the fans in Owen Sound, but NHL scouts. I know the draft is high on his list. And we have to help facilitate that and get him to where he wants to be.”
The Attack play their next game Friday on the road against the Brantford Bulldogs. Delisle is expected to make his Attack debut. It could be a few weeks until Bedkowski is ready to suit up for the Attack, as he is recovering from a wrist injury.
Friday’s game at Brantford can be heard live on 560CFOS on Kia of Owen Sound-Terry’s Trailer Service Bear Radio. The Lumberjack Log Structures pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m., and puck drop is set for 7 p.m.