YARMOUTH, N.S. — The Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners team have always been a big part of Matt Barron’s life. And Barron, in return, has been a big part of the team.
The Mariners team captain just recently broke the all-time franchise record for the most games played during the regular season with the Yarmouth Mariners.
On Dec. 6 in Bridgewater, Barron played his 211th game with the team, breaking the 210-game record set by Justin d’Entremont, a Yarmouth County native who was one of the team’s original members for four seasons when the franchise came to Yarmouth.
Prior to a Mariners's Dec. 8 home game, a special presentation was made to Barron. A video highlighting his time with the team, prepared by Pucky Woo, was also played.
Barron – a territorial draft pick in 2015 – is in his fifth and last season with the team and will likely put the franchise-games-played record out of reach for any other player by the time this season comes to a close.
Barron’s first career MHL goal was scored in dramatic fashion on a game-winning penalty shot in overtime during his first season with the Mariners and he has been a leading scorer for the Mariners throughout the years.
During the 2018-2019 regular season Barron led the Mariners with 72 points – 31 goals and 41 assists – which was also good enough for third overall in the league. Barron had led the Mariners in points the previous season as well with 49 points.
In the MHL's Canadian Tire Cup playoffs last season Barron helped to propel his team to the league championship by contributing 17 points in 14 games, which included six goals and 11 assists. He was named the playoff’s MVP on the night the Mariners swept the Campbellton Tigers to win the league title.
This year Barron is leading his team in points once again with 45 points in 28 games played, which breaks down to 17 goals and 28 assists.
As a kid, Barron grew up around the Mariners team, and helped out around the rink, as his dad Laurie was part of the coaching staff. His dad has said that Matt went from filling water bottles for the team to drinking out of them.
Barron was 16 years old when he started playing with the Mariners. This year he was named captain of the team, the first letter he’s worn while wearing a Mariners jersey. He said at the time he was named captain, “I feel very honoured to be named captain of the team I grew up watching and admiring.”
With or without a letter, Barron has also always been known as a leader with the team and someone players and fans look up to.
