Avs take Byram with fourth overall pick

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The Colorado Avalanche selected left-handed defenseman Bowen Byram with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Byram, 18, played the last three seasons with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. He was named the league’s top draft-eligible player this year.

Byram scored more than a point per game in the regular season this year, recording 26 goals and 45 assists in 67 contests. He upped his output in the postseason with 26 points in 22 games as the Giants dropped Game 7 of the WHL finals in overtime. Byram was the first defenseman in WHL history to lead the playoffs in scoring.

At 6-foot, 194 pounds, Byram is a high IQ offensive defenseman who will rely more on his stick than his body defensively. He has a high ceiling and could eventually be a replacement for Erik Johnson.

Byram will join a young Colorado defensive corps that already features Cale Makar, Sam Girard.

Byram is just the third defenseman chosen by the Avalanche in the first round since 2008.

The Avalanche have seven picks remaining in the draft. Next up is the 16th overall selection.

For more on Bowen Byram, check out his BSN Player Profile.