Barron joins Predators organization
Jason Barron is turning pro.
The 29-year-old St. Catharines native, who spent the last two seasons as the goaltending coach for the Niagara IceDogs, has been hired as a goaltending development coach with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
The Admirals are the top farm team of the Nashville Predators where Welland native Ben Vanderklok is the goaltending coach.
“It’s really exciting,” Barron said. “I’m looking forward to getting started and the new opportunity. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and really excited to do it with a phenomenal organization and fantastic people. I think that’s the first emotion that goes through your head.”
Barron met with the Nashville organization recently and came away impressed.
“After I was hired, I had the opportunity to go to development camp and go through that process with the team and meet the staff and everyone has been absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
Barron will work with the Admirals on a day-to-day basis and will also be working with their other goaltenders in North America that have been drafted. As well, he will also assist the scouting staff on the amateur side and in goaltending scouting.
He can’t wait to get started.
“I’m excited to get down there and make that my home and learn about the area and get immersed in the community. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Barron, who attended St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, graduated from Brock with a degree in sport management which led him to an internship at Ridley College where he spent eight years. He then moved on to the Erie Otters for four seasons before joining the IceDogs.
He always had a goal of moving up the hockey ladder.
“It’s always been a goal in the back of my mind. With that being said, these things happen organically,” Barron said. “When you’re coaching, your mind is always where your feet are. I was focused on doing the best job I possibly can where I was.
“Coaches are similar to players in that you’re always working to better yourself and working to improve and tie into the experiences that you’ve had that have helped you grow personally and professionally.”
He credits Vanderklok, a former Thorold Blackhawk and Ontario Hockey League goaltender, for much of his development.
“Ben has been phenomenal,” Barron said. “We’ve been together for 15 years (through Vanderklok’s hockey schools) and obviously I have learned a tremendous amount from him and he was a huge piece in being the coach that I am today. When you have the opportunity to do something with someone you not only have an immense amount of respect for as a colleague, but also a very good friend, that only adds to the excitement of the opportunity.”
Vanderklok is equally excited to see Barron join the organization.
“I have known and worked with Jason for many years. I have witnessed his continual growth first hand and know he is ready for this next step in his coaching career. He is a character person and a very passionate teacher. His work ethic, knowledge of the position, and attention to detail are some of the quality attributes that Jason demonstrates. I am very excited for him to be joining the Nashville Predators and I look forward to working closely with him at the pro level,” Vanderklok said.
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