Despite finishing his rookie season with the Blackhawks, he was reassigned to the AHL to begin 2007–08. Joining the Rockford IceHogs in their inaugural AHL season (the team previously played in the United Hockey League), he assisted on the first ever goal in IceHogs AHL history on October 6, 2007 against the Quad City Flames. Barker had been selected to play at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, but did not attend as he was once again recalled by the Blackhawks. In his second stint with the Blackhawks, he improved to six goals and 18 points in 45 games.