The unfortunate postponement of games and limited recent activity for the Avalanche provides us the opportunity to reflect on new developments from this season. One of the most exciting storylines is the emergence of defenseman Bowen Byram. The 4th overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft has capitalized on the Avalanche’s blue line injury struggles this season. He has played unexpectedly well, and his recent increase in ice time likely means he’ll be with the club for the remainder of the season.
Since he will be an important part of the Avs’ future, let’s get to know Bowen Byram.
Byram was born in Cranbrook, British Columbia in 2001. His father Shawn played minor league professional hockey for most of his career, though he was drafted in 1986 by the New York Islanders.
The current Avs defenseman played his junior hockey for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. During his successful three-year junior career, Byram tallied 150 points in 177 games. In 2017, he was selected as the rookie of the year for the Giants and the Western Conference Rookie of the Year for the WHL. In 2019, he was the highest-scoring defenseman in the league and set the record for most goals from a defenseman in Giants history.
Byram also earned the opportunity to participate in several international hockey tournaments representing Canada in four different age groups. He helped Canada to a gold medal finish at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky World Cup after tallying four total points.
His success made him one of the highest-rated draft prospects in 2019, his first year of draft eligibility. In his junior career, Byram was a sound defensive player with great skating ability. He also demonstrated the unique ability to create in the offensive zone as both a passer and shooter of the puck.
Heading into the draft, Byram’s play was highly scrutinized by hockey experts. He was seen as a “calculated two-way defenseman with leadership traits and cornerstone potential who makes the proper reads while carrying an on-ice demeanor similar to that of a seasoned veteran,” according to Steve Kournianos of the Draft Analyst.
The Avalanche drafted Byram with the number four overall pick in 2019. He continued to mature as a player in Vancouver for two seasons before being called up by the Avalanche this year.
Though he has been quiet statistically, Byram’s play has been promising for a 19-year-old rookie. There is typically a steep learning curve with young players, but Byram seems to be up to the challenge of taking on a much quicker and physically demanding brand of hockey.
His highlight of the season thus far was his first and only NHL point, a perfectly placed centering pass to a charging Mikko Rantanen for a score against Anaheim. Plays like that have provided glimpses of Byram’s offensive instincts that will nicely complement the Avs’ young core.
He is still a raw talent, however, and must improve his defensive positioning to become a reliable member of the starting defensive rotation. Though his skill set seems that it would be most effective in power-play situations, he has not had success so far in those situations. Byram will certainly get better in these areas under the direction of Coach Jared Bednar and the leadership of veteran players like Devon Toews.
As the Avalanche resume their postponed season, look for Byram to continue to be an active contributor on the Avalanche defensive line. Though Devon Towes and Erik Johnson will see their return to the lineup at some point, Byram should remain with the squad if he continues to improve. He is certainly an exciting prospect and a potential bright spot in the future of their organization.
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