‘Barkey’s Buds’ providing opportunities for youngsters

Denver Barkey is captaining an initiative that is helping those less fortunate in London — with game tickets, team merchandise, and hockey equipment to make it possible for youngsters to try the sport.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Denver Barkey is a difference maker on the ice for the London Knights. But what he’s doing away from the rink is also making a difference in his adopted community of London, which he’s called home during the OHL season for the last four years.

London’s captain helped launch ‘Barkey’s Buds,’ a multifaceted initiative that is helping those less fortunate in London — whether through tickets to see the Knights play, team memorabilia, or hockey equipment to make it possible for youngsters to try the sport who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in London, and the fans have been so great to me, so being able to give back to the community was something I wanted to do,” Barkey told Gameday London.

“To help some people be able to get to a game when they normally wouldn’t have been able to, and also allow some people to maybe try out the game of hockey for the first time is special to me.”

The initiative helps further an existing program that has provided more than 300 tickets over the last two seasons to more than 100 London-area families who have been able to attend a Knights game when it was otherwise not in their budget.

Chris Refflinghaus has benefited from the program, and it allowed him to bring his sons, Ryker and Kai, to a game earlier this season. Living in community housing, attending a Knights game isn’t something he’s typically able to afford. He says the experience with his kids is something he’ll never forget.

Chris Refflinghaus attends a London Knights game along with his sons, 13-year-old Ryker (right) and 8-year-old Kai (middle). (Photo courtesy Chris Refflinghaus).

“They haven’t stopped talking about it. They had such an amazing time,” Refflinghaus told Gameday London.

Through the program, the family not only attended a game, but the kids were also able to grab some free memorabilia from the Knights Armoury, the team’s merchandise store.

“Just seeing how their faces lit up … they were both able to get a Knights hat. I'm pretty sure my eight-year-old still sleeps with his hat on,” said Refflinghaus.

Besides providing game tickets for families in London Community Housing, the Barkey’s Buds program is also collecting equipment (and raising money to purchase equipment) for young people looking to try the sport.

Over the last month, a used equipment drive has been taking place in an effort to limit financial barriers that would otherwise prevent kids in the community from trying hockey.

“I was so fortunate to be able to play hockey from a young age and really fall in love with it. Hopefully this gives young kids the same chance,” said Barkey.

The Knights’ captain will be in attendance Wednesday at Source for Sports, which is hosting an event to wrap up the equipment drive.

The London Knights Fan Club is selling Barkey’s Buds t-shirts to help support the cause. Those interested in purchasing one can do so by reaching out to club President Sav Neth at sav@superaudiovideo.com.