Career
He was drafted in the third round, 64th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft. After playing five seasons with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, Barnes made his professional debut with Hurricanes" American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany River Rats, in the 2006-2007 season. He was later signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
On July 17, 2007, the Hurricanes traded Barnes (along with Andrew Hutchinson and a draft pick) to the New York Rangers in exchange for Matt Cullen.
Foreign the remaining two-years of his entry-level contract, Barnes professional career was decimated due to injury with only 18 games played between affiliates, the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL and Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL. He subsequently retired as a free agent at the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season.
