2019 NHL Draft Profile – Bowen Byram

Vancouver Giants blue-liner Bowen Byram put together a formidable second half, including 26 points in 22 postseason appearances to help the Giants advance to the Ed Chynoweth Cup Final. In all, Byram wrapped up the 2018-19 campaign with 26 goals and 71 points in 67 games. He led all WHL defencemen in goals and was named to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team. A native of Cranbrook, B.C., Byram joined Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he tallied four points in five games en route to a gold medal victory. Byram is the second-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.

Byram describes himself as an offensive, two-way rearguard and likens his playing style to Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman and Moose Jaw Warriors graduate Morgan Rielly. He notes his hockey IQ and skating ability as his greatest assets, and likes to use his speed to his advantage.

“Has clearly separated himself as this draft’s top defenceman,” writes Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino. “(Byram) has done enough on both sides of the puck to project as a top-four, two-way defenceman.”