Draftee Byram gets taste of NHL game experience

FORT COLLINS» As the Avalanche capped off its development camp on the ice Friday at the Edora Pool Ice Center, nearly 900 fans were in attendance, and many had their eyes locked on Bowen Byram.

Byram, the team’s No. 4 overall pick in last week’s draft, just turned 18 earlier this month but is already thought of as a player that can eventually help the Avalanche contend for a Stanley Cup. The 6-foot defenseman from British Columbia was one of 34 prospects, newly-drafted players and other camp invitees that took part in the team’s skill development sessions and practices this week.

After three days of drills and other exercises, Byram was as excited to get on the ice as fans were to see him play for the first time.

“It’s kind of an anticipated event throughout the week,” Byram said. “I mean, you’re kind of practicing the whole time, and eventually, practice gets old. … It was really good; I thought the pace was good. And I think we put on a good show for the fans.”

Though he didn’t score a goal, Byram’s Burgundy Team beat the White Team, 8-7, in an overtime shootout. The junior hockey star’s playmaking stood out in the scrimmage.

Byram had an assist on defender Sasha Larocque’s goal that tied the contest, 4-4, with 1:15 left in the second period. Then, Byram helped knot the game up again. This time, with his team trailing by a goal with less than a minute left in regulation, he found center Luka Burzan, who drilled the game-tying goal with 54.4 seconds left.

In the shootout, left wing Luka Burzan found the back of the net — after multiple attempts by both teams — to seal the deal for the Burgundy Team.

Though his first slightly-competitive NHL hockey experience was brief, Byram said he’s leaving camp a better player.

“Getting on the ice on kind of a pro level with a lot of good players from around the world, it was a lot of fun,” Byram said. “… And I think I improved a lot.”

Shane Bowers, a 2017 first-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators who played last season with the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, had nothing but praise for his future teammate.

“He’s obviously super skilled, super mobile,” Bowers said of Byram. “When the puck’s on his stick, something’s gonna happen.”

In the last two months, Byram has played in the Western Hockey League Championship for the Vancouver Giants, celebrated a milestone birthday, and attended the draft combine and been selected as a top-five pick.

While he’s excited for his future with the Avalanche, he’s still trying to take in the moment.

“I don’t really think I’ve had a chance (to take it all in) totally yet,” Byram said. “But I’m sure over the next couple of weeks, once I get back home and start training again, start skating, getting going, it’ll kinda all sink in.”