The end of forward Riley Barber’s junior season at Miami (Ohio) University had lined up nicely, putting him on the projected path through the collegiate postseason and straight into the minor leagues. He was supposed to anchor the RedHawks during the NCAA tournament and then, whenever their run finished, join the Hershey Bears for a brief toe-dipping stint with his future club. A sixth-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2012, Barber was poised to leave a year early and ride into the sunset.
Instead, in the college regular season’s penultimate game, Barber tumbled onto his left knee and felt it pop.