Hockey is fun again for Mac Barden and that's good news for the Delta Ice Hawks.
A year ago, the 19year-old was a situational player in the B.C. Hockey League. Now, he leads the Pacific International Junior Hockey League in scoring and will have a major role in the upcoming playoffs as the Ice Hawks attempt to defend their championship.
"It's nice to get a little more ice time and be utilized more," said Barden. "It's a great atmosphere here. I love the team. I love the ownership and the players. It's a great organization to be part of.
"I want to play hockey for fun and that's what I can do here."
The Surrey native has no regrets about his one-year stint with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. After three seasons of midget hockey, he was thrilled to crack the roster of the BCHL club where he appeared in 56 games and compiled 14 points, including five goals.
"In junior "A" you are competing against the best up there. Sometimes you have to play third or fourth line and just fill your role," explained Barden.
He could have worked his way up the depth chart had he returned, but instead was looking for more balance in his life and that's what the Ice Hawks offered.
Barden had first attempted to play for Delta as a 16-year-old before heading back to major midget for more seasoning. This time, he returned with an impressive resumé and the Ice Hawks were looking to fill a void with the departure of key graduating forwards Spencer Traher and Cody Smith.
Smith. Barden had stayed in contact with Ice Hawks GM Peter Zerbinos and the move to the Ice Hawks was even smoother when former Silverbacks assistant Dan Cioffi joined the coaching staff.
He became an offensive force for Delta right out of the gate and hasn't let up. Barden has 65 points in 40 games, including 24 goals, and enters this week with a three-point cushion over North Vancouver's Spencer Quon for the PIJHL scoring lead. Barden also has a league best six shorthanded goals, including a spectacular game winner in the dying seconds to beat Aldergrove last week.
"Right now I'm working and playing hockey and hopefully next year I can go off to school and play college hockey," said Barden.
"It's a good atmosphere here and playing the game you love for fun is the most import thing.
"Our goal is to win four (championship) banners but we have to take it one game and one step at a time. I think we have the right group of guys going forward."
Delta head coach Dave McLellan was well aware of Barden's offensive potential and isn't surprised to see him flourishing.
"I think we have instilled a lot of confidence in him," he said. "When you're not having fun (playing hockey), it's a drag. I've seen many kids go through the ups and downs of junior hockey. They can find a spark somewhere and that's what has happened to him."
Icing... The Ice Hawks' hopes of a first place finish in the Tom Shaw Conference took a hit with a 3-1 loss to the Richmond Sockeyes last Thursday. Delta now trails Richmond by four points with each club having four games remaining, including one more head-to-head meeting next Tuesday in Ladner.
A pair of first period power play goals was all the Sockeyes would need. Tanner Gattinger had the lone Ice Hawks goal.
Delta has at least locked up second place and will play either North Vancouver or North Delta in the quarter-finals.
