Barber, 28, joined the organization when he signed a two-year contract prior to the 2020-21 campaign and made his Red Wings debut on Dec. 18 vs. New Jersey. The 6-foot, 199-pound forward has suited up in three games for Detroit this season, recording four shots in 8:15 time on ice, and has also seen NHL action with the Washington Capitals (2016-17) and Montreal Canadiens (2019-20). Barber has appeared in 44 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 19 goals (T2nd), 23 assists (T3rd), 42 points (T3rd), 12 power play goals (1st), five game-winning goals (2nd) and 160 shots (T1st). Last season, he was named to the Central Division All-Star Team after leading Grand Rapids with 20 goals and 34 points in 32 games. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native is a veteran of 359 AHL games, posting 293 points (145-148-293) and 250 penalty minutes over seven seasons with the Hershey Bears, Laval Rocket, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Griffins. The 6-foot, 190-pound winger also has 15 points (5-10-15) in 38 career AHL postseason games.
Originally drafted by the Capitals in the sixth round (167th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Barber signed with Washington after spending three seasons at Miami University, where he scored at over a point-per-game pace with 123 points (54-69-123), a plus-24 rating and 62 penalty minutes in 116 games. Barber earned several collegiate honors, including CCHA Rookie of the Year and First All-Star Team in 2012-13 and NCHC Second All-Star Team in 2013-14, and helped the RedHawks to a conference championship in 2014-15. He also won a 2011 Clark Cup championship in the United States Hockey League with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and spent the 2011-12 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Barber also captained the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship after winning gold at the event in 2013, combining for 12 points (7-5-12) in 12 games between the two tournaments.
