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Justin Barron
Justin Barron
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Justin Barron (born November 15, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Barron has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens.

Key Information

Playing career

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Junior

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Following three seasons of major junior hockey for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Barron was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL entry draft.[1]

Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Barron was named captain of the Mooseheads franchise.[2] During the pandemic-interrupted campaign, he recorded 31 points in 33 games played. On April 27, 2021, the Avalanche signed Barron to a three-year, entry-level contract.[3] He concurrently signed an amateur tryout (ATO) agreement with the Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, and joined the team for the remainder of the 2020–21 AHL season.[4]

Professional

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Colorado Avalanche

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Barron made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2021–22 season, appearing in a December 15, 2021 game against the New York Rangers.[5] Collectively, he appeared in 50 games with the Eagles, registering six goals and eighteen assists, along with two scoreless games with the Avalanche.

Montreal Canadiens

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On March 21, 2022, Barron was traded by the Avalanche, along with a 2024 second-round draft pick, to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Artturi Lehkonen.[6] He initially attracted good publicity upon his arrival in Montreal, specifically by demonstrating proficiency in French as a result of having taken immersion classes during his schooling in Nova Scotia.[7] Barron made his debut with the team in a March 27 game against the New Jersey Devils, amassing 17:55 of total ice time.[8] He registered his first career NHL point, an assist, in a March 29 game against the Florida Panthers.[9] Thereafter, Barron scored his first career NHL goal in an April 5 game against the Ottawa Senators, his first home game at the Bell Centre. He suffered an ankle injury in the same game and exited early.[10] Seven days later, the team announced that he would miss the remainder of the season and would be unable to join the Laval Rocket, the franchise's AHL affiliate, for the Calder Cup playoffs.[11]

After recovering from injury, it was widely assumed that Barron would make the Canadiens' roster for the 2022–23 season out of training camp. However, after an underwhelming performance in the preseason, he was instead assigned to Laval. He admitted that this was initially difficult to process, but after some struggles in his early games with the Rocket, he set about "to play well enough to hopefully be that first call-up, and at some point, get back up there."[12] He was soon credited as the team's strongest defenceman.[13] On December 27, he was recalled by the Canadiens, having managed 7 goals and 9 assists in 25 AHL games.[14] Barron played the remainder of the season in the NHL, drawing generally positive assessments.[15] After the Canadiens failed to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Barron was one of four players reassigned to Laval to end the season.[16]

A restricted free agent following the 2023–24 season, Barron was tendered a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on June 30, 2024.[17] On July 30, he signed a two-year, $2.3 million contract extension.[18]

Early on into the 2024–25 season, Barron skated in his 100th career NHL game, a 4–3 shootout loss versus the New York Islanders on October 19.[19]

Nashville Predators

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On December 18, 2024, Barron was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for fellow defenceman Alexandre Carrier.[20]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Finland/Latvia
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2021 Canada
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Gold medal – first place 2018 Canada
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Silver medal – second place 2017 Canada

Internationally, Barron first represented Hockey Canada as part of team Canada Red at the 2017 World U-17 Hockey Challenge,[21] earning a silver medal.[22] He then captured gold along with his country's national under-18 team at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.[23]

In December 2020, Barron was selected to play for the national junior team at the annual World Junior Ice Hockey Championships[24] where he had two assists in seven games as Canada was defeated by the United States in the gold medal game.[25]

Following the Montreal Canadiens not qualifying for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Barron accepted an invitation to join the national senior team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship,[26] winning a gold medal.[27]

Personal life

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Barron's older brother, Morgan, is a professional ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets.[28]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2017–18 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 51 2 19 21 8 9 0 3 3 2
2018–19 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 68 9 32 41 34 23 2 11 13 10
2019–20 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 34 4 15 19 6
2020–21 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 33 8 23 31 40
2020–21 Colorado Eagles AHL 7 1 3 4 4 2 1 2 3 0
2021–22 Colorado Eagles AHL 43 5 15 20 8
2021–22 Colorado Avalanche NHL 2 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Montreal Canadiens NHL 5 1 1 2 0
2022–23 Laval Rocket AHL 25 7 9 16 6
2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL 39 4 11 15 20
2023–24 Montreal Canadiens NHL 48 7 6 13 16
2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 32 2 9 11 10
2024–25 Montreal Canadiens NHL 17 1 0 1 8
2024–25 Nashville Predators NHL 45 5 7 12 15
NHL totals 156 18 25 43 59

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Canada Red U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 2
2018 Canada HG18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 5 5 0
2021 Canada WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 0 2 2 0
2023 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 0 3 3 2
Junior totals 18 0 8 8 2
Senior totals 10 0 3 3 2

Awards and honours

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Barron (born November 15, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighing 198 pounds (90 kg), he shoots right-handed and hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Barron was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to his professional career, he played major junior hockey for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he served as team captain during the 2020–21 season and recorded 31 points (8 goals and 23 assists) in 33 games, leading all Mooseheads defencemen in scoring. He signed his first professional contract with the Avalanche in April 2021 and made his NHL debut with the team during the 2021–22 season, appearing in four games. On March 21, 2022, Barron was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in exchange for forward Artturi Lehkonen. With the Canadiens organization, he split time between the NHL club and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket, establishing career highs in the 2023–24 season with 7 goals, 12 assists, and 19 points in 48 games. On December 18, 2024, Barron was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Alexandre Carrier. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens worth $2.3 million on July 30, 2024, covering the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons. As of November 2025, Barron has accumulated 47 points (18 goals and 29 assists) in 175 NHL games across his career with Colorado, Montreal, and Nashville.

Early life

Family background

Justin Barron was born on November 15, 2001, in , . He is the younger son of Gerard and Jenny Barron, with his older brother, , also pursuing a career as a professional ice hockey player for the of the National Hockey League. The Barron family has been deeply supportive of both sons' athletic endeavors, frequently traveling to attend their games across various leagues. Growing up in a hockey-focused household, Barron was influenced early on by his family's enthusiasm for the sport, including the creation of a backyard rink during winters where his parents would a tarped area for him and his brother to practice. This environment fostered a strong bond centered around shared interests in hockey, shaping Barron's initial passion for the game within the context of familial encouragement.

Youth hockey development

Justin Barron began his organized hockey career with the Halifax Minor Hockey Association (HMHA), a key local organization in Nova Scotia that nurtured his early passion for the sport. Inspired by his older brother Morgan, who was already competing in competitive youth hockey, Barron joined HMHA teams to build foundational skills, starting as a young defenseman focused on skating and basic positioning. In the 2014–15 season, Barron played for the Halifax ACCEL Physio U15 team in the Major Bantam Hockey League (NSMBHL), where he contributed 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 27 games, helping the team in initial playoff efforts. The following year, he advanced to the Halifax ACCEL Hawks Major Bantam squad in the Major Bantam Hockey League (NSMBHL), improving to 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) in 31 regular-season games and serving as team captain during a playoff run that included 1 assist in 2 games. These experiences emphasized his development in defensive responsibilities and offensive puck transport, with early highlighting his strong and ability to join rushes from the blue line. Barron's pre-junior progression continued in the 2016–17 season with the Halifax McDonald's U18 AAA team, where he recorded 25 points (6 goals, 19 assists) in 38 games, adding 6 assists in 9 playoff contests. He also represented Team Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Challenge Cup U14 tournament, gaining exposure against regional competition. These minor-level successes, including consistent play in Nova Scotia youth leagues, solidified his reputation as a poised defenseman ready for higher challenges, without delving into major junior statistics.

Playing career

Junior career

Justin Barron was selected by the Halifax Mooseheads in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft. He spent four seasons with the Mooseheads from 2017 to 2021, developing into a prominent defenseman in the league. His junior career built on a strong foundation from youth hockey in the Halifax Minor Hockey Association, where he honed his skills before transitioning to major junior competition. In his 2017–18 season, Barron recorded 2 goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 51 regular-season games, earning recognition on the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. The following year, 2018–19, he improved significantly, posting 9 goals and 32 assists for 41 points in 68 games, while adding 13 points in 23 playoff games as Halifax advanced to the QMJHL finals. His 2019–20 season was shortened to 34 games due to the , in which he tallied 4 goals and 15 assists for 19 points. Barron was selected to participate in the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game but was unable to play because of an . Named captain for the 2020–21 season, Barron led the Mooseheads through another pandemic-disrupted campaign, registering 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 33 games and earning a spot on the QMJHL Second All-Star Team. Over his junior career, he accumulated 112 points (23 goals, 89 assists) in 186 regular-season games. His performance culminated in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, where he was chosen in the first round, 25th overall, by the . Barron signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Avalanche on April 27, 2021.

Colorado Avalanche

Following his selection by the in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Justin Barron transitioned to professional hockey by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the organization on April 27, 2021. He was assigned to the Avalanche's (AHL) affiliate, the , for the 2021–22 season, where he adapted to the pro level as a right-shot defenseman. In 43 regular-season games with the Eagles, Barron recorded 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points, showcasing his offensive capabilities from the blue line while contributing to the team's defensive efforts. His play earned him recognition as a promising prospect, with scouts noting his skating and puck-moving skills as key assets in the faster professional pace. Barron earned his first call-up to the NHL on December 14, 2021, amid injuries to several defensemen. He made his NHL debut the following day, on December 15, 2021, against the at , logging 9:10 of ice time in a 4-2 victory. Paired with veteran , Barron posted a plus-one rating and helped generate scoring chances, including puck possession that led to a second-period goal by , though he did not record an official assist. He appeared in one additional NHL game that season, on January 18, 2022, against the , but tallied no points across his two outings with . On March 21, 2022, ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the traded Barron and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft to the in exchange for forward , bolstering Colorado's playoff push while providing Montreal with a young defensive prospect. This move marked the end of Barron's brief tenure with the organization after less than a full season of professional development.

Montreal Canadiens

Barron made his debut with the on March 27, 2022, against the , shortly after being acquired from the in a for forward . In his second game with the team, he recorded his first NHL point with an assist on March 29, 2022, during a 7-4 loss to the . Barron scored his first NHL goal on April 5, 2022, tying the game at 2-2 in the second period against the at the . During the 2022–23 season, Barron appeared in 39 games for the Canadiens, establishing himself as a depth defenseman while splitting time with the American Hockey League's , where he played 25 games and recorded 7 goals and 9 assists. In the 2023–24 season, he solidified his role on the blue line, playing 48 games for and contributing 7 goals and 6 assists, marking a career high in goals for the defenseman, while also appearing in 32 games for the , where he recorded 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. On July 30, 2024, the Canadiens signed Barron to a two-year extension worth $2.3 million, with an annual value of $1.15 million, securing his services through the 2025–26 . Early in the 2024–25 , Barron reached a personal milestone by playing his 100th NHL game on October 19, 2024, in a 4–3 shootout loss to the . He appeared in 17 games for that , scoring 1 goal on October 17 against the and registering no assists before being traded. On December 18, 2024, the Canadiens traded Barron to the in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Carrier, ending his tenure with after 109 games across three full seasons.

Nashville Predators

Following his trade to the on December 18, 2024, in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Carrier, Justin Barron quickly integrated into the team's defensive lineup, providing a fresh start in the competitive Western Conference. In the remainder of the 2024–25 season, Barron appeared in 45 games for Nashville, recording 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points while averaging 18:27 of ice time per game. His contributions bolstered the Predators' defensive depth, particularly through his physical presence, as he tallied 83 blocked shots and 80 hits across the full season split between and Nashville, emphasizing his role in shot-blocking and puck retrieval. Barron's puck-moving abilities became a key asset in Nashville's system, where he frequently transported the puck up-ice to generate transitions, often paired with veterans like to leverage his skating and distribution skills against top competition. This bottom-pairing role allowed him to focus on reliable defensive play while contributing offensively from the blue line, though his plus-minus rating of -14 in those 45 games reflected the challenges of adjusting to a more demanding conference. The Predators valued his 6-foot-2 frame for adding grit, with early-season performances in 2024–25 highlighting his willingness to engage physically and protect the net front. Entering the 2025–26 season, Barron has maintained a consistent bottom-pairing position, appearing in 19 games as of November 17, 2025, with 0 goals and 4 assists for 4 points and a -1 rating, alongside an average of 15:08 ice time per game. Despite occasional healthy scratches due to lineup decisions amid injuries on the blue line, he has continued to emphasize shot-blocking and physical hits, logging 11 shots on goal and contributing to Nashville's depth during a transitional period. His acclimation has shown steady progress, with coaches praising his growing comfort in the Predators' structure and potential for expanded responsibilities as the season advances.

International career

Junior level

Barron first represented internationally at the under-17 level, competing for Canada Red at the 2017 in and . He contributed one assist in six games while providing key defensive support, including strong play along the blue line during power-play situations, helping his team secure a after a 3–2 overtime loss to the in the final. The following year, Barron earned a spot on Canada's national under-18 team for the 2018 in and , where his selection was based on his emerging performance with the in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As a top prospect, he delivered a standout tournament with five assists in five games, showcasing his offensive instincts from the back end and contributing to Canada's dominant 6–2 gold-medal victory over in the final. Barron also participated in the CHL/Canada Russia Series, an annual exhibition matchup between all-stars and 's under-19 national team. He suited up for Team CHL in 2018, appearing in two games during the first leg in and , , and returned for the 2019 series, playing in two more contests split between Victoria and , . Across the four games, Barron recorded one assist while focusing on shutdown duties against skilled Russian forwards. In his final junior international appearance, Barron joined Canada's under-20 team at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta. He logged seven games with two assists and a plus-5 rating, emphasizing reliable two-way defense on a squad that captured silver after falling 3–2 in overtime to Finland in the gold-medal game.

Senior level

Barron made his senior international debut with Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia, earning selection based on his emerging role as a defenseman with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2022–23 NHL season. He appeared in 10 games for the tournament, registering 0 goals and 3 assists while averaging approximately 12–15 minutes of ice time per game. As part of Canada's defensive pairings, Barron contributed to the team's strong penalty kill and transition play, helping limit opponents' scoring chances en route to a gold medal victory in the final against Germany on May 28, 2023. His assists came in key matches, including setups for goals in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, underscoring his puck-moving abilities from the blue line. Canada defeated Germany 2–0 in the championship game, where Barron logged 12:18 of ice time and was on the ice for one of the goals.

Personal life

Family

Justin Barron maintains a close relationship with his older brother, , who has been playing forward for the since signing with the organization in 2022. The brothers, who grew up in , provide mutual support during their NHL careers, often exchanging encouragement amid trades and team transitions. Their family plays a significant role in Barron's professional life, with parents frequently attending games when the brothers face off against each other, such as the January 2023 matchup between the and at the . This presence helps Barron balance the demands of NHL travel and performance, fostering a sense of stability through shared family moments like holidays, which the brothers prioritize to recharge amid their schedules.

Off-ice interests

Beyond his on-ice commitments, Justin Barron has expressed interest in outdoor water sports, mentioning a desire to learn during the offseason as a way to relax and spend time with teammates. He has also shown enthusiasm for , participating in teammate Alex Newhook's inaugural charity golf tournament in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 2024, which raised $113,000 for local causes. These activities align with his appreciation for social outings, including dining at favorite spots like Grinder and Café Jeantil in the Old Port during his time with the Canadiens. Barron prefers low-key entertainment such as watching movies and TV shows over video games, noting in a 2023 interview that he enjoys downtime focused on screen-based relaxation rather than gaming. He also participates in casual card games during team travel, highlighting his enjoyment of lighthearted group interactions on the road. Following his trade to the in December 2024, Barron quickly embraced his new environment, describing excitement about settling into "Smashville" and building connections in the city. In terms of , Barron contributed to the Good Deeds Cup initiative during the 2021 , where players performed community service acts to support youth causes. His involvement in such events underscores a commitment to giving back, often through team-affiliated opportunities that allow him to balance professional demands with personal growth.

Awards and honors

Junior awards

During his time with the in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Justin Barron earned several accolades that highlighted his development as a promising defenseman. In the 2017–18 season, his rookie year, Barron was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team, recognizing his strong debut performance with 21 points in 51 games. In the 2018–19 season, Barron was selected to the QMJHL First All-Star Team and the CHL Second All-Star Team. Barron continued to impress in subsequent seasons, earning selection to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 2021 after captaining the Mooseheads and contributing significantly on the blue line during the 2020–21 campaign. His status as a top prospect was further affirmed by his invitation to the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he was selected to represent the CHL despite an injury preventing his participation; this honor positioned him among the leading draft-eligible talents heading into the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Additionally, Barron represented the CHL in the Canada/Russia Series in both 2018 and 2019, competing against the junior national team and gaining valuable international exposure early in his junior career. These junior-level recognitions served as key precursors to his selection in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the .

Professional awards

Barron earned selection to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic while playing for the , the ' affiliate, where he represented the North Division in the skills competition and game held in February 2023 in . This honor recognized his strong performance in the during the 2022–23 season, in which he contributed offensively from the blue line. In addition to his AHL recognition, Barron achieved a gold medal with Team at the , serving as a professional-level international honor that highlighted his growing stature in the sport.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Justin Barron made his NHL debut during the 2021–22 season, splitting time between the and after being traded mid-season. Over his professional career, he has established himself as a mobile defenseman capable of contributing offensively from the blue line while accumulating solid minutes in both the NHL and AHL. As of November 17, 2025, Barron's NHL regular season totals stand at 175 games played, with 18 goals, 29 assists, 47 points, and 65 penalty minutes. In the ongoing 2025–26 season with the , he has appeared in 19 games, registering 4 assists. In the AHL, Barron has logged 107 regular season games, producing 15 goals, 36 assists, 51 points, and 28 penalty minutes across the and . His AHL playoff experience is limited to 2 games played, with 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, and no penalties. Barron has not appeared in any NHL playoff games across his career.

NHL Regular Season Year-by-Year Breakdown

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2021–2220000
2021–2251120
2022–23394111520
2023–2448761316
2024–25171018
2024–2545571215
2025–26190446
Career17518294765
Statistics sourced from NHL.com and Elite Prospects.

AHL Regular Season Year-by-Year Breakdown

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2020–2171344
2021–2243515208
2022–232579166
2023–2432291110
Career10715365128
Statistics sourced from TheAHL.com and HockeyDB.com.

Playoff Statistics

NHL Playoffs

Barron has not appeared in any NHL playoff games.
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Career00000

AHL Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM
2020–2121230
Career21230
Statistics sourced from TheAHL.com.

International

Barron has represented at the international level in four major tournaments, accumulating 28 (GP), 0 goals (G), 11 assists (A), 11 points (P), and 4 penalty minutes (PIM) overall. His contributions have primarily come through assists, reflecting his role as a defenseman focused on playmaking and defensive reliability. The following table provides a breakdown of his statistics by tournament:
TournamentYearGPGAPPIMMedal
201760112Silver
201850550Gold
World Junior Championship202170220Silver
IIHF World Championship2023100332Gold
These appearances span his junior and early professional career phases.

References

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