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Minnesota Wild: Bartley’s Road Too Long to End Now

By Danny Lambert

Sep 27, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Victor Bartley (28) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of a preseason hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Victor Bartley (28) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of a preseason hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the biggest surprises of this year’s Minnesota Wild training camp has been the unexpected solid play of journeyman defender Victor Bartley.  News of his injury was unfortunate, but if Bartley has taught us anything over his career he’ll do what he needs to do to move up and on.

You hear the term journeyman thrown around to describe many different players, and their long and diverse road to the play in the NHL.  Minnesota Wild defenseman Victor Bartley might be best example of a true journeyman who’s passed through the doors of the Xcel Center ever.  Still this offseason few have seem to perform better than him as he looks to make a statement about his ability to play at the NHL level.

The 28-year-old Bartley started as an undrafted free-agent after playing five full-seasons in the WHL.  Most players don’t play that long in junior hockey as they are drafted or signed before they can even get close to that many years under their belt.  Normally if you see a player play as long as Bartley in junior they often quit because of perceived lack of interest.  He finally made the jump over the AHL with Providence but not on an NHL contract.  That didn’t last very long as he only played 10 games there to end the 2008-09 season.

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After Providence Bartley bounced around between the ECHL and AHL, once again not on a NHL contract and found disappointment in the form of a season ending triceps injury.  For the 2009-10 season and found himself without a home and decided to try his fortunes over in Sweden for the 2010-11 season.  He was forced to play in the second tier Swedish League, and made the most of the opportunity.  Bartley would notch 34 points and lead his team Rogle BK in points by a defenseman.

Mar 19, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Bartley (20) before the game against Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Bartley (20) before the game against Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Being rewarded for such a good season, Bartley signed a contract to play in the top-tier Swedish League team Djurgardens IF in 2011-12.  He would never play a minute for Djurgardens, as he was mutually released from his contract to sign with the Nashville Predators.

Bartley would continue his new found great play in the AHL for Milwaukee racking up solid points and finally earned his first NHL appearance with the Preds in the 2012-13 season.  Bartley would stay up with the big club in Nashville for more two full seasons with not a lot of success only 16 points in 87 games.

Finding himself back in the AHL again with Milwaukee last season, he would then be traded to Montreal in exchange for Stefan Elliot.  Bartley would play only 9 games with the Habs before finishing out the season back in the AHL for 10 games with St. John’s.

Sep 27, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Victor Bartley (28) looks on during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Victor Bartley (28) looks on during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Wild saw Bartley on the open market and saw a chance to add some veteran know how to their young defensive lineup in Iowa.  They signed him to a 1-year two-way contract worth a meager $650,000.  The original intent was to keep him in Iowa as a top pair defender, but have the option to call him up if needed in emergencies.

So the expectations heading into camp were low for Bartley, until he decided to let his play do the talking.  In his first preseason appearance Bartley surprised everyone and blasted a goal against Colorado, which would put him on the radar of his coach and the Wild fans who collectively said “Who’s that guy?”

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Michael Russo of the Star Tribune had said that Bartley was going to be Iowa’s number one and with his three preseason games he made that case and more.  He also showed that he’s ready to be in the NHL again as a stand-in.  For someone who’s taken this long and winding road it was just great to see him make a statement that he could still play and that he was doing it better than some of the Wild players who are guaranteed spots.

That’s why the news yesterday of his injury in Sunday’s game comes with a bit of sadness.  A torn triceps requiring surgery is the report and while it’s not clear if it’s his old injury, he’ll be out for a few months at least.

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This injury might end the feel good story he had in training camp, but I’m sure it won’t end his journey.  With any luck he’ll be healed and back playing up to the same level we’ve seen over the last week in Iowa in a few months from now.  One things for certain Bartley won’t give up now, he’s been through too much and moving forward is what he does best.

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