Tyson Barrie signs with Avalanche

Here is the release:

Avalanche Signs Barrie

Defenseman Inks Entry-Level Deal

Friday, 03.25.2011 / 12:56 PM / News

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed defenseman Tyson Barrie to an entry-level contract.

Barrie, 19, was named the Western Conference Finalist for the WHL Defenseman of the Year award, an honor he already captured last year. He led all Kelowna Rockets defensemen and finished sixth among WHL blueliners with 58 points (11g/47a) despite playing just 54 games. The Victoria, B.C., native missed two weeks of action while helping Team Canada win the silver medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in January.

Barrie and the Rockets finished second in the Western Conference and will take on Prince George in the first round of the WHL Playoffs beginning tonight.

“Tyson has had an accomplished junior career,” said Avalanche General Manager / Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “We are adding another young defenseman to the organization and we look forward to him beginning his pro career.”

Colorado’s fourth selection (third round, 64th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft, Barrie was named the 2009-10 WHL Defenseman of the Year after tying for first among all league blueliners with 72 points (19g/53a) in 63 games. He was selected to the WHL First All-Star Team and Canadian Hockey League Second All-Star Team. Barrie, who led Kelowna defenders in scoring in each of the past four seasons, finished his career with 228 points (51g/177a) in 256 regular season games with the Rockets.

Tyson’s father, Len, played seven seasons in the NHL.