Third Times A Charm: The Michael Barrett Story + Interview


Barrett, the agent

It all started in Season 13 for Michael Barrett, a former player who is much often forgot about. The 5’7” winger was known for his prominent skating and excellent playmaking abilities. He was drafted 16th by the Vancouver Whalers in the S13 NWJHL Draft. Relatively unknown at the time he managed to put up some good numbers in his time at Vancouver. Barrett posted 26 points in 40 games, but was named co-winner of the Antero Salmelainen Award for team MVP, in which he shared it with none other but legendary goalie, Jordin FourFour. He had a solid campaign and most people predicted him as an early second to mid second round pick in the S14 SHL Draft. The Winnipeg Jets however were very high on Barrett and drafted him with the 8th overall pick. Barrett was drafted over guys like Ondrej Ravchitikov, Daniel Merica, Brian Morley, and even his former teammate Jordin FourFour. Barrett made the team his first year and was then playing on a team with some great players like Armin Brovalchuk, Brandon Donini, Willie Weber, and his former GM, Jordan Hall. His first season in the big leagues was a decent one in which he managed to notch 13 points and proved that he was good enough play in the SHL. The offseason between S14 and S15 was the year however, when everything changed for young prospect, Michael Barrett. During that offseason the Jets traded away all of their superstars in order to rebuild, this leaving Barrett to lead the team along with blue-chip goaltender Lauris Prikulis. Barrett was named captain and was set to lead the young team for years to come, and it was looking quite for Barrett in his second year as he put up 28 points, and although the Jets did not make the playoffs the season was looked at as a success for the young rebuilding team. Fast forward to S16 where Barrett and the Jets had an additional decent effort with Barrett improving his point total to 29, but it was also at this time that Barrett shocked many by retiring from the sport of hockey.


Hartman, the bust

The young captain had a promising young team that he was leaving behind and potentially a great career and nobody knew what happened to him until he was starting to showing up to games for a young upcoming defenseman named Tyler Hartman. Hartman was the very different from Barrett, he was huge standing at 6’5” and extremely physical unlike the water bug Barrett once was. But like Barrett, Hartman was also a great skater and had good playmaking skills. Although it was looking like Michael Barrett was Hartman’s agent, he still would not talk to the media. All-around he was looking like a fantastic prospect who could turn into a number one defenseman. But, for Hartman, being selected 8th overall in the S18 SMJHL Draft was the peak of his career, as he turned out to be a huge bust who bounced around team’s in the SHL, and never became the prospect so many people thought he was going to be. There was huge work ethic problems with him and he never seemed to want to put in the work to be good player. After Hartman seemed to fall off the face of the planet, Michael Barrett was still not to be seen, until now.

Barrett was ready to talk to the media for first time since his retirement, we interview him to see why he is now popping up again.

Why are you just talking to the media now? Why not earlier?

I was scared I guess, the way I left Winnipeg was something that I regret doing everyday now, and it kills me to think that I actually did that.

Why did you leave?

The pressure. The pressure to succeed with the Jets, and knowing that I didn’t think I was capable of leading the team. The pressure of trying not to let my GM down, but it got to me and I did. I was so stoked to be a part of the Jets and I thought it was the perfect situation for me, but, sometimes you just have to do what’s right for you, and what was right for me was retiring, even if I regret it now.

You talk about regrets, any regrets that you missed out on the Winnipeg’s cup victory in S19

Of course, but they didn’t need me anyway, and I’m happy for what they did and I was cheering for them to win it.

Is it true that you are now managing prospect, Aleksander Stromberg?

That is correct.

What do you see in his game that makes you want to manage him?

Well, he’s a crazy gifted player who I think could be a star in the league if he puts in the work. He’s quick, can shoot the puck really well, can dangle, can make plays out of nothing, can play both end of the ice, and he has a toughness to his game that really puts him over the top. I just see him as an all-around force.

What is different between Hartman and Stromberg?

Aleksander has a much better head on his shoulders then Hartman did, Tyler just didn’t put in the work, and maybe I’m to blame for not motivating him enough but I think Alek has a much better chance of succeeding. But, again it just all come down to how much effort Alek puts into his game.

Thank you for talking to us.

My pleasure.


Stromberg, the future

Well there you have it seems that maybe the once promising Michael Barrett will get his third shot at a successful player. It does look like however that Stromberg has the talent to do well in the near future, but the same thing was said about Hartman seasons ago. Only time will tell if Aleksander will live up to the praise that his manager/agent is giving him. Even if Stromberg doesn’t pan out the way Barrett might want him to, it is always good to hear from Barrett.