The day has finally come and gone.
Bowen Byram’s draft day.
Bowen Byram tied former Giant Evander Kane for the highest NHL draft pick in franchise history, as well as the fifth first-round pick in the Giants history, on Friday after the Colorado Avalanche made him the fourth overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft hosted by the Vancouver Canucks.
Kane, currently a member of the San Jose Sharks, was selected fourth overall as well in 2009 by the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets).
Byram was expected to be the first Western Hockey League player to be selected this year before the Chicago Blackhawks picked Saskatoon Blades star Kirby Dach third overall in a first round where seven WHLers heard their names called.
The native of Cranbrook, BC had a record-setting season while leading his team to within one goal of the WHL championship last month where he led the WHL in playoff scoring with 26 points (8G, 18A) in 22 games. He also led the entire CHL in goals by a defenceman and most recently took home the CHL Top Prospect Award at the CHL Awards in Halifax.
The top defenceman in the 2019 draft class ranked third among WHL blueliners with 71 points (26G, 45A) in 67 games with the Giants and on Wednesday, was one of 43 named to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp starting next month in Plymouth, Michigan.
Byram’s teammate, Trent Miner, is also expected to be selected during Day 2 of the draft on Saturday which would make it the second consecutive year the Vancouver Giants have a goaltender selected by an NHL club after David Tendeck went in the sixth round to the Arizona Coyotes in 2018.
Stay tuned for more news on the Giants’ NHL draftees over the weekend from Stephen Hawco on DUBNetwork.
