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Byram signs entry-level contract

July 19, 2019, 2:48 PM ET [3 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
First-round pick Bowen Byram is in the fold.

The Avalanche on Friday announced that Byram, the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NHL draft, has signed a three-year, entry-level contract. According to capfriendly.com, the deal is worth $925,000 per year ($832,500 base salary, $92,500 signing bonus).

Byram, an 18-year-old defenseman, has two years of junior eligibility remaining and could be returned to the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, where last season he had 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 67 regular-season games and 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 22 postseason games.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Byram, who is from Cranbrook, British Columbia, could play as many as nine games with the Avalanche this coming season and still be returned to the Giants without the first year of the contract kicking in. He would have to remain with the Avalanche if he plays in 10 games.

His chances of starting the season in Colorado seem excellent because of his skill, but also because Erik Johnson (shoulder surgery) might not be ready and Ian Cole (hip surgeries) isn’t expected to be available until December.



“We were all in on Bowen,” said Alan Hepple, Colorado’s director of amateur scouting. “He’s smart and his puck management is unbelievable. His poise, his patience, his offensive ability to see the play and read the play and to make plays is exceptional. Everything is high end.”

Byram was rated the second-best North American skater in the NHL’s Central Scouting final rankings for the draft.

Byram has 98 points (32 goals, 66 assists) in 138 WHL games and 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 29 postseason games.

He had one assist in five games for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championships.

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