Colorado Avalanche Draft Bowen Byram Fourth-Overall

The Colorado Avalanche used their fourth-overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft to pick defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Colorado Avalanche have chosen defenseman Bowen Byram with the fourth-overall pick they acquired as part of the Matt Duchene trade.

Byram is a defenseman from Cranbrook, BC, Canada. He played last season with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. In 67 games, he recorded an impressive 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists).

Bowen Byram Scouting Report

2018-19 Team:Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Date of Birth: June 13, 2001 (18 years old)
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 194 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left

Ranked #5 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #6 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #3 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #4 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #2 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #4 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #6 by TSN/McKenzie

Scouts are high on Bowen Byram. He’s known for being an elite skater with a lot of energy. He’s great at handling the puck and keeping possession even while under pressure.

According to Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects, “He makes calculated decisions that consistently shift momentum in his team’s favor. His creativity in the offensive zone speaks to his confidence in his ability to be a game-changer.” Joe also like his defensive astuteness.

Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey goes more in-depth into his skating ability, pointing out it’s the basis of his strong two-way game. He adds:

"“His strong backwards skating allows him to maintain strong gap control and makes him tough to beat on the rush…He also adds excellent pivots, edgework, and agility. This allows Byram to cover all areas of the ice.”"

Kerr sees a lot to like in Byram’s offensive game, too, stating that the defenseman “knows how to score in a variety of ways.” He remarks especially on his wrist shot and snap shot, both of which have a quick release.

According to Kerr, Byram doesn’t shy away from a physical game defensively, though he adds that “Byram will need to add some muscle to his frame.” The kid just turned 18 a week ago, so that’s sure to be forthcoming. Naturally, with his stickhandling and skating, Kerr considers him to be a good puck moving defenseman.

Bowen Byram in action:

The more you know:

Also a little more:

On Joe Sakic:

“He was one of the greats ever.” 😎
Bowen Byram is a little awkward… and I’m here for it:

Future of Bowen Byram and the Colorado Avalanche

To be honest, I was pretty shocked when the Chicago Blackhawks selected Kirby Dach. But that left us with the best defensive prospect in the entire draft, Bowen Byram.

When the Colorado Avalanche selected Byram with their fourth-overall, the hockey analysts remarked that they though the prospect would be playing pro already next year. Oh, heavens no, don’t make that mistake again. Let him develop properly.

That said, he’s eventually going to be a force for the Avs. He hits every marker that the team wanted to draft — skill, speed, and hockey IQ.

If he does turn pro right away, I hope he spends a full year at the AHL level. Let him fill out and finish growing physically, and let him learn the professional game. The Avalanche are set on defense, so they can afford to wait.

But, boy, it sure does look like the blueline, once a cause for shame, is going to be the Colorado Avalanche’s crown jewel moving forward.

Bowen Byram and the other prospects will likely attend the Prospect Development Camp which starts Tuesday with a special introduction of the new draftees to the season ticket holders at Pepsi Center. The rest of us can start watching them during their on-ice activities, which begin Wednesday.