Justin Bailey has been surrounded by hockey since he was a baby. Growing up right outside of Buffalo, hockey has become a staple in a young kid’s life. It certainly helps to have guys like Matthew Barnaby, Rob Ray, and Michael Peca around, too. Coming through a hockey hotbed like Buffalo, Bailey was always going to be a hockey player.
Justin Bailey grew up with professional athletes all around him. As he’s preparing to embark on his own pro career, being around talent is nothing new.
The difference: this time, the talent is his.
“Growing up in Buffalo, we (his family) lived in the same condo as Matthew Barnaby, Michael Peca and Rob Ray,” Bailey said. “Barnaby helped me along the way with a lot of decision-making.”
Being raised in the same building as NHLers clearly influenced the young Kitchener Rangers forward. But they weren’t the only pros who had an impact on Bailey when he was younger.