Bryce McConnell-Barker

January 2024 – McConnell-Barker is in his third season with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, having compiled 12 goals and 18 assists thus far this season in 30 games played. The left-handed Center was signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Rangers in March of 2023, which kicked in at the start of the 2023-2024 season. The Canadian-born prospect now checks in at six foot two, an inch taller than he was listed at last season, and should be ticketed for his first pro season in the Fall of 2024 with the Hartford Wolf Pack. While a talented playmaker, the Rangers organization will certainly employ a patient approach with the youngster and allow him to develop for at least a season or two in the AHL. Brendan Ferry

March 2023 – McConnell-Barker has completed his season with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, where he posted 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points in 68 games played. The highly skilled lefthanded center has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Hartford Wolf Pack for the remainder of the season, after signing his entry level contract with the team earlier this month. He will wear number eight with the Pack.  Brendan Ferry

February 2023 – McConnell-Barker, playing in his D+1 season, his second with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, has already surpassed his goal and assist totals from a year ago, averaging well over a point-per-game. In 43 games, he has posted 52 points. The left-shot center is among the league leaders in scoring, and is taking advantage of his increased role this season. Brendan Ferry

July 2022 – With the final pick in round three the New York Rangers selected McConnell-Barker 97th overall. Pat Quinn

May 2022 – McConnell-Barker has had a see-saw season with the Soo Greyhounds, ending his rookie season with 23 goals and 49 points in 68 games for the OHL team. He added a goal and four assists in 10 playoff matches as his team fell short in the second round to the Flint Firebirds.

The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward is almost always going full-throttle. That’s often a good thing, but can sometimes turn into a negative when the play requires a change of pace or a release of pressure. When it works, McConnell-Barker looks unstoppable, but he’ll occasionally chase down a play or try to push through bodies without much certainty or effectiveness. It’s a sign of tunnel-vision, something that’s rectifiable by video coaching. The foundations of McConnell-Barker’s game reside in his pace of play and his goal-scoring touch. He possesses a whippy, short release which is fairly well-masked and can beat netminders from short- to mid-range. He can also find and create seams pretty well. The overall package with this prospect is alluring, but some tweaks are required in order to maximize that top-six upside. With enough time and patience, though, it’s entirely possible, which makes McConnell-Barker a great second-round pick-up for a team looking to add some goals to their pipeline. Hadi Kalakeche