Friday, May 28, 2010

Lightning sign 2008 draft pick, D Mark Barberio

Press Release

Tampa Bay Lightning
Defenseman Mark Barberio led Moncton in plus-minus rating with a plus-39 and was tied for the team lead for game-winning goals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Mark Barberio to a standard three-year entry level contract today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

"We always like adding good character people and quality players to the organization," Head Amateur Scout Darryl Plandowski said. "Mark has a good skill level and he's a winner, having played on championship teams. We look forward to adding him to the organization and working to develop Mark as a professional."

Barberio, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, is coming off an impressive junior career with the Moncton Wildcats and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league. During that time he amassed 46 goals and 168 points with a plus-53 rating in 261 career games. Barberio participated in the 2010 QMJHL All-Star Game and was named to the 2006-07 QMJHL All-Rookie Team. He was also selected to represent the QMJHL in the 2009 Canada-Russia Super Series as well as the 2007 Canada-Russia Challenge.

The Montreal native, Barberio had what may have been his best season in 2009-10, setting career highs for goals with 17, assists with 43, points with 60 and shorthanded goals with three in 65 games with the Wildcats. He also notched seven power play goals and five game-winning goals. Barberio led Moncton in plus-minus rating with a plus-39 and was tied for the team lead for game-winning goals. He also led all team defensemen in goals and was second in assists and points. Barberio was second in the QMJHL for game-winning goals, fifth for points and assists and sixth for goals.

Barberio also had success during the QMJHL playoffs, registering five goals and 22 points in 21 contests. He led all league defensemen for points, assists and was second in goals. Overall, Barberio ranked second for assists and seventh for points among all skaters as he helped Moncton to the QMJHL Championship. He also played in three games during the Memorial Cup.

He was drafted by Tampa Bay in sixth round, 152nd overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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