A New Chapter for a Rising Star
Kane Barch, a forward who has spent the past two seasons with the USA National Team Development Program, is expected to leave that pathway and sign with the London Knights for the upcoming season.
Barch began his junior career in Ontario with the Huron‑Perth Lakers before posting seven goals, 16 assists and 23 points in 54 games for the NTDP’s U17 side, numbers that have attracted attention from several OHL clubs.
He was selected in the first round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection by the Kitchener Rangers, but a mid‑season trade sent him to the London Knights, where his father, former NHL player Krys Barch, once wore the same jersey.
Barch’s commitment to play NCAA hockey at the University of Michigan adds another layer to his development plan, while the Knights look to bolster their forward group with additional talent.
The move is part of a broader pattern: several top prospects, including Carter Meyer, Trevor Daley Jr., Broden McArthur and Alexander Milojevic, have recently chosen the CHL over the NTDP, signaling a shift in how elite American players chart their paths.
London Knights general manager said the organization is excited to integrate Barch and fellow Finnish prospect Luca Santala into a forward line that already features strong defensive depth, while the club continues to leverage relationships with institutions such as the National Team Development Program and the University of Michigan.