Born	April 4, 1986 (1986-04-04) (age 23), Winnipeg, MB, CAN
Height Weight	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 213 lb (97 kg; 15 st 3 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Chicago Blackhawks
Ntl. team	Canada
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 2004 Chicago Blackhawks
Pro career	2006 – present

Cameron Barker (born April 4, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents 1 Playing career 2 International play 3 Personal life 4 Awards 5 Career statistics 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Playing career

Barker began his junior hockey career in 2001–02 with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), appearing in 3 games. He led his team in scoring among defencemen with 47 points and was named to the WHL All-Rookie Team in 2002–03. The following season, he recorded a junior career best 65 points in 60 games, leading the Tigers to a 2004 President's Cup championship. As WHL champions, they earned a berth in the 2004 Memorial Cup, however, Medicine Hat was defeated by the Gatineau Olympiques in the semi-final.

He was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and was signed to an entry-level contract by Chicago on August 22, 2005.^[1] He made the Blackhawks opening roster out of training camp in 2005–06 and made his NHL debut against the Colorado Avalanche, but was returned after one game to Medicine Hat,^[2] where he completed the season with 18 points in 26 games.

Barker began the 2006–07 season injured, having undergone ankle surgery in September.^[3] After recovering, he joined the Norfolk Admirals, Chicago's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, making his Norfolk debut on November 3, 2006. He recorded his first professional point on November 21 against the Manchester Monarchs, assisting on the game-winning overtime goal. A few games later, he scored his first professional goal on November 29 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a 6–3 loss. Later in the season, he was called up by the Blackhawks and scored his first NHL goal on January 14, 2007 against the Minnesota Wild. He finished his rookie season playing in 35 games with Chicago and recording 8 points.

Despite finishing his rookie season with the Blackhawks, he was re-assigned to the AHL to begin 2007–08. Joining the Rockford IceHogs in their inaugural AHL season (the team was previously a UHL team), he assisted on the first ever goal in IceHogs AHL history on October 6, 2007 against the Quad City Flames. Barker had been selected to play at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, but did not attend as he was once again recalled by the Blackhawks. In his second stint with the Blackhawks, he improved to 6 goals and 18 points in 45 games.

Barker did not make the Blackhawks cut for the start of the 2008–09 season and was assigned once again to Rockford. With the Blackhawks just under the salary cap, Barker's $2.8 million cap hit would have put them over the limit. However, general manager Dale Tallon asserted that Barker's demotion was not based on salary cap considerations.^[4] After 7 games with Rockford, he was called up by the Blackhawks and has since remained with the team. Barker finished the season six goals, thirty-four assists, and a plus-minus of -6.

He became a free agent after the 2008 seasons, and was resigned by the Blackhawks to a three-year contract worth 9.25 million dollars.^[5]

[edit] International play

Medal record
Competitor for  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold	2006	Vancouver
Gold	2005	Grand Forks

Barker was a part of Team Canada's gold medal winning team at the 2005 World Junior Championships. However, he contracted mononucleosis mid-way through the tournament and was only able to appear in the first 3 games.^[2] Barker made his second straight World Junior appearance in 2006 as the only returning player on Team Canada's roster. He repeated as gold medal champion with Team Canada, defeating Russia in the final. He was also a member of the Croatian National Hockey Team from 2001-2008.

[edit] Personal life

Barker attended Oak Park High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Awards

• WHL All-Rookie Team - 2003
• Ed Chynoweth Cup championship (WHL title; Medicine Hat Tigers) - 2004
• World Junior gold medal - 2005, 2006

[edit] Career statistics

				Regular season							Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2001–02	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL		3	0	1	1	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL		64	10	37	47	-16	79		11	3	4	7	17
2003–04	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL		69	21	44	65	17	105		20	3	9	12	18
2004–05	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL		52	15	33	48	19	99		12	3	3	6	16
2005–06	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL		26	5	13	18	4	63		13	4	8	12	59
2005–06	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		1	0	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Norfolk Admirals	AHL		34	5	10	15	6	53		6	1	3	4	13
2006–07	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		35	1	7	8	-12	44		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		29	8	11	19	2	67		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		45	6	12	18	-3	52		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		68	6	34	40	-6	65		17	3	6	9	2
NHL totals				149	13	53	66	-21	161		17	6	3	9	2
AHL totals				63	13	21	34	8	120		6	1	3	4	13
WHL totals				214	51	128	179	20	346		56	13	24	37	110

[edit] References

1. ^ "Coyotes keep Mara in pack". ESPN. 2005-08-23. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2140212. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Juniors depending on Barker". CANOE. 2005-12-11. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2005/12/11/1348411-sun.html. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 
3. ^ "Blackhawks D Barker to undergo ankle surgery". ESPN. 2006-09-15. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nhl&id=2589220. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 
4. ^ "Tallon says Barker's demotion a 'hockey decision'". Daily Herald. 2008-10-07. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=241187&src=149. Retrieved 2008-10-13. 
5. ^ Kuc, Chris (2009-07-09). "Blackhawks sign 6 restricted free agents, including Cam Barker". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-07-hawks-chicago-jul07,0,2626367.story. Retrieved 2009-07-08. 

[edit] External links

• Cam Barker's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Cam Barker Minor Hockey Point Shot Goal Video
• Cam Barker's NHL player profile

Preceded by Brent Seabrook

Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick 2004

Succeeded by Jack Skille