Perhaps best known for his outstanding hockey abilities, Barton's athletic versatility saw him enjoy success in a number of different sports including hockey, baseball and golf.

A consistent .300 plus hitter, Barton helped the Port Arthur Red Sox and Lakehead Motors teams claim numerous baseball and fastball championships during the 1950s. A golfer since his youth, Barton enjoyed success with this sport as well.

In hockey Barton holds the distinction of being a member of Memorial Cup, Allan Cup and World Championship teams. He earned his first title while playing centre with the 1947-48 Port Arthur West End Bruins. After one more year of junior hockey, he turned professional in 1949-50 signing with the Boston Bruins and going on to play 8 years in the AHL, USHL and the Pacific Coast Hockey League, with such teams as the Hershey Bears, Tulsa Oilers, Tacoma Rockets and Seattle.

In 1957 he returned to the amateur ranks, joining the Belleville McFarlands Senior club. It was while with the McFarlands that he added two more hockey laurels to his crown, the 1958 Allan Cup and the 1959 World Hockey Championship title.

In 1960 Barton returned to northwestern Ontario, going on to serve as a playing coach for the Dryden Rockets and the Port Arthur Bearcats until 1964. It was also in 1960 that Boston signed him on as a Scout, going on to serve for many years as the Bruins Director of Player Evaluation. This outstanding athlete passed away in September of 2006.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 28, 1991