Tyson Barrie always had a contract in his hands before the start of NHL training camp, but this year was different.
He had no bites before the start of free agency on July 1.
So, Barrie had to go to plan B — the Calgary Flames and a professional tryout.
“Yeah, I think it’s funny,” Barrie said.
“They reached out a little bit earlier and we said no chance to a PTO (professional tryout), and we circled back. You still talking PTO?” he laughed.
Earned a one-year contract
Fortunately for Barrie, the Flames were still interested but he knew he was going to have to work extra hard in the off-season to earn that contract.
And that’s just what he did.
On Thursday, the 33-year-old was rewarded with a one-year, $1.25-million deal.
Barrie is glad it worked out.
“It’s cool to, you know, kind of keep the dream alive and keep playing in the National Hockey League,” he said.
“It was my goal to come in and …