Byram blames veterans for Giants’ modest start
Bowen Byram is blunt.
The Vancouver Giants’ No. 1 defenceman, who was invited to Team Canada’s world junior tryout camp this past week, says his Western Hockey League team is beginning to round into form. He also maintains veteran players like himself are to blame for the club’s modest start to the current campaign.
The Giants, who returned much of their core group from last year’s team that went to the WHL championship final, sat seventh in the Western Conference with a 13-111-1 record heading into Wednesday’s road contest against the Victoria Royals.
“I think a lot of it has had to do with the older guys,” said the 18-year-old Byram, who was the fourth overall pick by the Colorado Avalanche in last summer’s NHL draft at Rogers Arena.
“I don’t think many of us were playing up to par at the beginning of the year. I know that’s definitely accurate for myself. We’re striding in the right direction now. It’s definitely positive times around here.”
Byram was slated to play Wednesday, and is expected to suit up again Friday at the Langley Events Centre when fellow world junior team candidate Ty Smith and the Spokane Chiefs provide the opposition.
Byram is also scheduled to be in the lineup on Sunday at Rogers Arena, when the Giants host their Teddy Bear Toss game against the Tri-City Americans.
On Monday, he leaves for the Team Canada camp in Oakville, Ont., one of 10 defencemen competing for seven spots. The world juniors, which will be shared by Czech Republic cities Ostrava and Trinec, open Boxing Day. The final is set for Jan. 5.
Byram is expected to make Team Canada. He’s one of three 2001-born defencemen trying out. There are six 2000-born players, and one 2002. Eight of the 10 have gone through the NHL draft and
Byram is the earliest selection in that group, followed by Smith, who went at No. 17 to the New Jersey Devils in 2017.
Assuming Byram makes that team, he’ll miss at least eight Giants games.
“I think I just have to be myself,” Byram said of chasing a Team Canada spot at selection camp. “I have to play how I play.
“It’s pretty easy to think that you have to do a whole bunch of new things and wow everyone, but at the end of the day, you’re there for a reason and you need to do your thing like it’s normal business.”
It does feel like Byram has put forth his best efforts of the season in his past four or five games. It could be a coincidence, but the Giants gave him a few days off last week to return to his family’s home in Cranbrook and rest.
He played on two Team Canada entries two off-seasons ago, suiting up at the under-18 worlds in Russia and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton and Red Deer. Last season, there was the lengthy playoff run followed by all the NHL draft rigmarole.
“Getting home and getting away from hockey was really nice,” said Byram.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to do that in a while. It’s been a long couple of years. To get some valuable days at home with my mom and dad and other family and close friends was huge.”
As of Wednesday morning, Byram had three goals and 17 points in 24 games with the Giants this season. He posted 26 goals and 71 points in 67 games with Vancouver last season. Seventeen of his goals came after the holiday break a season ago.
Byram also led all WHL players in scoring in the 2019 playoffs with 26 points (including eight goals) in 22 games.
Byram is looking to become the first Giant to represent Canada at the world juniors since Brendan Gallagher in 2012.