Bobcat Center Barry Named NAHL All-Rookie Forward
FRISCO, TX – Thanks to the highest scoring campaign by a first-year Bismarck Bobcat since 2006, center Matt Barry was named to the North American Hockey League’s All-Rookie Team Monday, as well as the Central Division All-Rookie team.
“Being named to the All-Rookie Team in a league full of great young players is a huge honor,” said Barry, in his first season out of Naperville, Ill., “and it’s one that I share with my Bobcats coaches and teammates for making it possible. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the season that I did.”
The former Chicago Mission forward notched a team-high 59 points on 23 goals and 36 assists—the most by a Bobcat since Castan Sommer’s 59-point season in 2011-12 and the highest output from a Bobcat rookie since Eric Kattelus went for 75 points in 2005-06.
He also tied for the second-longest point streak league-wide in 2016-17, going 11 straight games with either a goal or an assist (5g, 12a) between February 18 and March 25. Barry also notched a three-way hat trick—scoring on the power play, penalty kill and even strength—on April 1.
“Matt was a cornerstone of our team all year: a big part of our growth over the course of the season and a key contributor to our playoff push,” hailed Bobcats assistant coach and director of player personnel Garrett Roth. “He is very skilled with the puck on his stick and is a guy who worked very hard to earn this honor.”
Barry’s honor marks the sixth time a Bobcat has been named to the NAHL’s All-Rookie Team, along with: Jake Hipp (forward, 2003-04); Kattelus (forward, 2005-06); David Bosner (goalie, 2008-09); Sam Rendle (defenseman, 2009-10); and Nate Repensky (defenseman, 2012-13).
The Bobcats have also placed a player on the Central Division All-Rookie Team every year since the divisional teams began in 2015 (Jared Pike, 2015; Jared Spooner, 2015; Pieter von Steinbergs, 2016).
“Our success with first-year players over the course of the franchise’s history is really a testament to the ability of our scouting department,” credited Bobcats head coach and general manager. “Over the years, they’ve been able to identify and bring in guys who are ready to step in and be big-time contributors.”
Next up in a busy offseason for the Bobcats is the first of the team’s two Open Pre-Draft Camps at Hasse Arena in Lakeville, Minn., May 19-21. Sign-ups are open now at BismarckBobcats.com.
Bobcat Hockey would like to thank all of its sponsors, partners, game-night volunteers, billets, staff, coaches and especially players for helping make the Bobcats a part of the fabric of Bismarck/Mandan for 20 years!
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are now available for pre-order: fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of next year now by calling 222-3300 or by texting TICKETS to 701-390-7422.