The Vancouver Giants announce that 2001-born defenceman Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.C.) has been selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Originally selected by the Vancouver Giants third overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, Byram has helped re-write the Vancouver Giants history books during his two full seasons in the Western Hockey League.
In 2018-19, Byram set a new single season franchise record for goals by a defencemen with 26, which also led all WHL defencemen. He finished second on the team and third in the WHL (among defencemen) with 71 points. Additionally he set a new single season WHL record with six overtime winning goals. He then recorded 26 points in 22 playoff games, becoming the first defenceman in WHL history to lead the playoffs in scoring. In 138 career WHL games with the Giants, Byram has notched 32 goals and 66 assists for 98 points. He received the 2019 CHL Top Prospect Award after being named a first-team WHL Western Conference All-Star for 2019. In 2018 he was the WHL’s Western Conference Rookie of the Year nominee.
Internationally Byram’s resume is impressive. He has represented Canada on three occasions. In 2017 he captured a Silver Medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. In 2018 he helped Canada secure a Gold Medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He also suited up for Canada at the World Under-18’s. Earlier this week Byram was one of 43 players and 12 WHL’ers invited to attend Hockey Canada’s National Team Summer Development Camp which runs July 27 – August 4 in Plymouth, MI.
“On behalf of the entire Vancouver Giants organization, we are all very proud of Bowen and are happy for his entire family that they get to celebrate this accomplishment together in his home WHL city,” said Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta.
Vancouver Giants Head Coach Michael Dyck adds, “Bowen is an elite player, a leader, and a relentless worker who always put the team ahead of himself. He played a big part in our success this past season.”
The first-round of the 2019 NHL Draft continues this evening from Rogers Arena in Vancouver. You can follow along here. Rounds 2 – 7 of the NHL Draft will take place tomorrow beginning at 10:00 AM.
