Colorado Avalanche: Bo Byram the 18-year-old defenseman

Can Bo Byram make the Colorado Avalanche roster this 19-20 season as an 18-year-old rookie? Does the team even have a place for him?

The Colorado Avalanche have a player who turned 18 just a couple months ago legitimately fighting for an NHL roster spot — defenseman Bowen Byram.

Imagine being at the young age of 18. What does that look like to you?

Maybe it is an age you are eager to reach. You still have your whole life laid out before you, all things are possible. After all, eighteen is such a wonderful age, dreaming of all the things that seem so far out of reach, but then, you reach it!

Or maybe you are looking back to eighteen. A time of naivety. A time when you think you are invincible and the whole world is at your fingertips. Now shaped by the responsibilities and experiences this life has given you.

Now imagine the time, dedication, energy, sweat, blood and tears needed to put into mastering something at such a young age. All of which is put into the hopes of reaching that dream. The dream that is statistically unlikely to happen, but you didn’t listen to what anyone else had to say because this was your dream! Your life! You defeated the odds!

Happy Birthday to Bowen Byram. A little over a month after his eighteenth birthday he was signed by the Colorado Avalanche as a first round draft pick, fourth overall. How realistic is it for Byram to make the roster this 19-20 season?

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Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly were the first two Colorado Avalanche players to make the roster at age eighteen. Matt Duchene went on to be the youngest Colorado Avalanche to reach 100 goal points in his NHL career, and to lead the team in scoring.

Duchene is proof that age does not matter! Talent, skill, and determination is key for being successful. Bo Byram can be a great defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche despite his age. Do you think Bo Byram would be a better NHL player being signed at this young age and being shaped by a great organization, the Colorado Avalanche? Or do you think he is too young?

Part of me really wants to see him succeed and make the roster this season because he is young. It is inspiring and it shows the possibilities that anyone can achieve. But as we know this isn’t the defining factor to be on the roster.

Bo Byram is an assertive defenseman. He can control the puck well and plays excellently under pressure. He has won multiple awards for his skills on the ice. Bo Byram has been the AMBHL top defenseman, CSSHL top defenseman, and scored the most goals by a defenseman in the Western Hockey League last season.

Last season alone, Bo Byram helped the Canada’s men under 18 hockey team reach the Hilinka Gretzky cup championship, previously known as the junior world cup. Bo Byram was a key player i leading Canada to a Hilinka memorial gold medal.

Bo Byram’s previous season, 18-19, consisted of having the most playoff assists in the Western Hockey League for the Vancouver Giants. Byram also had the most playoff points for the same league and team last season.

Bo Byram’s statistics speak for themselves but watching his skills and seeing him in action brings a whole new excitement to the game. You can see he takes pride in playing defense and watching him maneuver on the ice is beautiful.

Next. Byram Earning Praise at Summer Showcase. dark

Byram has the strength, skill, and determination to make the 19-20 Colorado Avalanche roster. I will sit back and cheer him on! His age, spunk, and talent brings great excitement to the Colorado Avalanche. Not only does he have the skills and mastery to make the roster, but his personality fits in with the Colorado Avalanche franchise!

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