Mark Barberio
A determined defenseman who carved out a solid professional hockey career across North America and Europe after being a late-round draft pick.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: March 23·Millennials
Biography
Mark Barberio's hockey journey is a testament to persistence. Drafted in the sixth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, the Montreal-born defenseman spent years honing his game in the minors before earning his NHL debut. His steady, two-way play eventually secured him roles with the Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and Montreal Canadiens. While never a flashy star, Barberio became known as a reliable depth player who could be counted on in defensive situations. In the latter stage of his career, he took his game to Europe, embracing new challenges in the Swiss and later the ICE Hockey League, demonstrating the adaptability and love for the game that defined his path.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mark was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mark Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Mark's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 152nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
- Played over 250 regular-season games in the National Hockey League.
- Won the AHL's Eddie Shore Award as the league's best defenseman in 2012 while with the Norfolk Admirals.
- Part of the Norfolk Admirals team that set a professional hockey record with a 28-game winning streak in 2012.
- Extended his professional career by playing in top European leagues, including Switzerland and Italy.
Did You Know?
He is a dual citizen of Canada and Italy, which facilitated his move to play for HC Bolzano.
He played junior hockey for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL.
His AHL championship team in 2012 was coached by Jon Cooper, who later became the long-time head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“It took me five years in the AHL to get here. You learn to value every shift.”
