Bowen Byram has his first NHL contract.
The defenceman signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Friday after being drafted fourth overall by the team last month.
Byram, 18, had 26 goals and 45 assists in 67 regular season games last year with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants. He added 26 points in 22 playoff games as the Giants were eliminated in the WHL final by the Prince Albert Raiders.
His goal total led all defenceman in the league and helped him earn first team all-star honours.
The Cranbrook, B.C., native helped Canada capture the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
July 19, 2019