The Vancouver Giants have locked up a key part of their future.
On Friday, the major junior hockey team – which recently changed homes from the Pacific Coliseum to the Langley Events Centre – announced the signing of defenceman Bowen Byram to a Western Hockey League Player Agreement.
The Giants selected Byram with the third overall pick in last month’s WHL Bantam Draft.
“The Vancouver Giants are honoured to have Bowen and his family joining our organization,” Giants general manager Glen Hanlon said. “In signing Bowen, we add an impactful No. 1 defenceman which is something that all teams look for. Bowen plays an up-tempo game and will bring speed and skill to our roster.”
Byram spent the 2015/16 season with the Lethbridge Golden Hawks of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.
The Cranbrook native tallied 22 goals and 37 assists in 34 games to lead the league in scoring by a defenseman.
The Golden Hawks won the AMBHL title before going on to capture a bronze medal at the Western Canadian Bantam AAA Championships.
“It’s just really exciting,” said Byram, of signing with Vancouver. “I’ve been looking forward to this my whole life and my whole hockey career, and I’m just excited to get it going and be a WHL player.”
In 2016/17, Byram will only be eligible to suit up in five games for the Giants before his midget season comes to an end.