Cam Barker

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
team=Chicago Blackhawks
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 215
nickname =
nationality = Canada
birth_date = birth date and age|1986|4|4
birth_place = Winnipeg, MB
draft = 3rd overall
draft_year = 2004
draft_team = Chicago Blackhawks
career_start = 2006

Cameron Barker (born April 4, 1986 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Barker began his junior hockey career in 2001–02 with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, appearing in 3 games. He led his team in scoring among defencemen with 47 points and was named to the WHL All-Rookie Team in 2002–03. The following season, he recorded a junior career best 65 points in 60 games, leading the Tigers to a 2004 Ed Chynoweth Cup championship. As WHL champions, they earned a berth in the 2004 Memorial Cup, however, Medicine Hat was defeated by the Gatineau Olympiques in the semi-final.

He was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and was signed to an entry-level contract by Chicago on August 22, 2005. He made his NHL debut in 2005–06, appearing in one game for the Blackhawks before being sent back to Medicine Hat.

Barker began the 2006–07 season injured, then joined the Norfolk Admirals, Chicago's AHL affiliate, when he returned. He made his Norfolk debut on November 3, 2006, and recorded his first professional point on November 21 against Manchester, assisting on the game-winning overtime goal. A few games later, he scored his first professional goal on November 29 against Bridgeport in a 6-3 loss.

Later in the season, he was called up by the Blackhawks and scored his first NHL goal on January 14, 2007 against the Minnesota Wild. He finished his rookie season playing in 35 games with Chicago and recording 8 points.

Despite finishing his rookie season with the Blackhawks, he was re-assigned to the AHL to begin 2007–08. Joining the Rockford IceHogs in their inaugural AHL season (the team was previously a UHL team), he assisted on the first ever goal in IceHogs AHL history on October 6, 2007 at Quad City. Barker had been selected to play at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, but did not attend as he was once again recalled by the Blackhawks. In his second stint with the Blackhawks, he improved to 6 goals and 18 points in 45 games.

International play

Barker was a part of Team Canada's gold medal winning team at the 2005 World Junior Championships. However, he contracted mononucleosis mid-way through the tournament and was only able to appear in the first 3 games.

The following year, he was the only returning player from the 2005 team and repeated as gold medal champions with Team Canada, defeating Russia in the final.

Awards

*WHL All-Rookie Team - 2003
*Ed Chynoweth Cup championship (WHL title; Medicine Hat Tigers) - 2004
*World Junior gold medal - 2005, 2006

Career statistics

External links

*hockeydb|62512
* [http://brickhockeyhighlights.com/content/view/31/27/ Cam Barker Minor Hockey Point Shot Goal Video]