Antonio Barksdale Junior Review

[CrookedAnt 78]

Antonio Barksdale was an unknown name prior to the Junior Showcase. He came out on the floor playing a hefty amount of minutes averaging fifteen or so a game. The Italian center was a flash in the pan, but had a hot streak to start the tournament for the Brigade. Averaging a goal a game, and leading the tournament as of 8/13/22 in Goals Per Minute (2.19), and topping the center build with a line of 5-5-10 at the #1 spot- he's a statistic's beast, and rumor has it that Hockey is not even the sport he wanted to play. He wanted to be a basketball player, but it turns out on the ice is where he'll make the most impact. He's waiting for draft night, and to ink a deal he's told media reporters. He's shown prowess, and skill that not many players who have just picked up a stick a few months ago could.

His offensive vision has received solid feedback from his coaches. He's averaging 50% on faceoffs which isn't great, but isn't terrible. He's a solid contributor on the ice, and could be a good asset for any team looking for a starting, or rotational player. He's a known physical fighter type on the ice known to break into an altercation if necessary to protect, or rile up the enemy team. An aggressor, but an enforcer that tows the line not trying to go to far, or too personal in his attempts to mentally thwart the enemy. An instigator with a serious offensive game that shouldn't be taken lightly despite being new to the game of hockey.

It's clear while a standout tournament could mean nothing that a shot in the dark on this guy with a low draft pick could be worth it. His physical tooling is just built in a manner that could be described as "different." He's a true beast weighing in at 6'8, and 250 pounds, and has a unhealthy diet of five cheeseburgers a day, and two tall forties of miller light after the game- but it clearly works with the way he defensively blocks shots, and brings the puck in the net at the other end. The junior showcase has lit a fire under this prospect and he claims to be ready to put in the work, but will he back that up? Time will tell.

The Brigade weren't meant to make it far in this tournament, but there's been a push from several players. ST Louis, Dixon, and Barksdale emerging as a "big three" sort of movement where they are leading the team by example. A true force in the arena, and it's clear they aren't afraid to lace up their skates, and take the action to their opponents. Even if the team bombs out, and Barksdale's performance drops it will truly be a run to remember regardless once this young man get's drafted into the bigs, and potentially takes the league by storm. Or he's a bust- those are the two options.