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Miami junior Riley Barber will forego his senior season with the RedHawks and turn professional.
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Barber signed a three-year entry level contract with Washington, the NHL team announced Friday. The 6'0", 188 lbs Barber, who finishes his collegiate career with 123 points, is a 2012 sixth round pick (167th overall) of the Capitals.
His contract begins in the 2015-16 season.
The 21 year-old finished his junior season with 40 points (20G-20A) in 38 games. Miami finished second in the NCHC during the regular season and won the conference tournament. The RedHawks' year ended with a 7-5 loss to eventual national champion Providence in a game that saw top seed Miami nearly come back from a four goal deficit by pulling its goaltender.
SB Nation College Hockey has Barber as the 18th-best pro prospect in college hockey for the 2014-15 season, up from 25th a year ago.
Barber is a very skilled offensive player. His soft hands allow him to catch difficult passes and make plays with the puck. He has a very heavy, accurate snap shot and good instincts in the offensive zone that allow him to score goals. His skating is just average for the pro level, but he seems to be a player that always finds a way to produce offensively.
Barber's departure ends an era for Miami, which has to replace its top three scorers and five of its top nine.
The Pittsburgh native was the final CCHA freshman of the year. He came back after a 44 point sophomore season in which Miami finished last in the NCHC in part thanks to several key injuries. He and the rest of the returning RedHawks were redeemed this year, leading the team in goals.
Internationally, he played on the gold medal-winning 2013 US World Junior team. Barber also captained the 2014 US WJC team in Malmo, Sweden.