In his final Ontario Hockey League season (OHL), London Knights Captain Denver Barkey knew he wanted to thank the fans for welcoming him to the Forest City.
“The community here has been so great to me ever since I came in and played here,” said Barkey. “Being captain, the least I could do is start my own foundation to give back to the community.”
He racked up 82 points this season, but it was the assists off the ice which set him apart from his peers.
He partnered with the London Knights Fan Club to form ‘Barkey’s Buds’.
“To give kids and the less fortunate the opportunity to play hockey or even come to a game and maybe fall in love with the game.”
Booster club president Sav Neth helped form this charity.
“I grew up in London Housing and I never had the opportunity as a kid to go a game,” said Neth, who is recognizable with his green hair, and flag waving at games.
“Seeing these faces and partnering with Denver, Denver is one of the individuals that’s always going above and beyond. Thinking of him inspiring the youth of tomorrow and seeing these kids now want to come out and play hockey, it’s full circle.”
Denver has some impressive statistics, scoring 258 points in 228 regular season games with the Knights. However, the achievements his foundation put up in just one year are equally staggering.
“We gave away 500 tickets,” said Neth, who wanted to acknowledge Sam O’Reilly’s family who purchased 100 for the community.
“The equipment drive reached over 1,500 pieces [which] were mostly donated to the George Bray Organization. We also paid registration for 10 kids to play hockey this year.”
Chris Refflinghaus and his boys Kai and Ryker were the beneficiaries of free tickets from Barkey’s Buds.
“I wasn’t able to afford to go, as entertainment in general is expensive,” said Refflinghaus.
“When you have one, two or three kids, forget it. Usually, I’m asking what favourite board game do you want to play?”
Not only did Refflinghaus, get tickets, but the foundation threw in special surprise.
“They added a few different items from the merch [merchandise] store. My boys ended up getting hats and it was amazing.”
Anyone who has interacted with Barkey can immediately see he has the attributes which make him an ideal captain.
“He’s always wanted to do well for everybody,” said Devin Barkey, Denver’s mom. “He does like to give back. He’s always been very kind that way.”
Barkey’s father Sean said he has always been motivated and driven. They just tried to steer him in the right direction.
“We all know just living in this day and age is tough for kids,” said Sean. “Just to see him giving back to the community and making the game a little bit more available for everybody, is nice to see.”
He’s a social and outgoing person who genuinely cares about others.
“Hockey provided me with friendships, relationships, memories and life lessons,” said Barkey. “It’s taught me so much throughout life, and it helped me throughout life. Just to give kids that may not be able to afford the sport and opportunity to play or, you know, even come to a game, just to give them that opportunity, makes me feel good.”
As the playoffs begin, and the Knights get set to face the Owen Sound Attack, the foundation will continue to help the less fortunate and invite them to games in the postseason.
Even though Barkey’s OHL career is winding down, the foundation is just scratching the surface.
“Seeing the best game possible, it’s something we take for granted at times,” said Neth. “Just see the joy and then the feedback, it’s the greatest thing ever. We’re going to open doors and provide those opportunities to hopefully make this world a bit of a better place.”
Neth said his group has big goals on the horizon including helping the Indigenous community as well as London Housing. They have also started collecting stuffed animals for next year’s Teddy Bear Toss game and are storing them at the Factory.
“We’re already over 1,500,” said Neth.
