An exceptionally gifted defenceman that knows his strengths and plays by them. He possesses elite skating ability and is at his best when playing high energy, up-tempo hockey. He handles the puck well and is able to keep control of it under pressure. He makes calculated decisions that consistently shift momentum in his team’s favor. His creativity in the offensive zone speaks to his confidence in his ability to be a game-changer. Defensively astute, he actively takes away lanes and limits options for the oncoming opposition. All-in-all, Bowen Byram is a workhorse that understands how to take advantage of turnovers and shift the pace of play in his favor in all three zones – Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects 

An explosive skater who can act as a one-man breakout. He blends his terrific acceleration and north-south speed with lateral edge work and play creation through the neutral zone. Owns a heavy shot that is effective in all situations. His quick hands that embarrass oncoming forwards at the offensive blueline. Can get caught at times, but you take the good with the bad. An efficient power play quarterback in the making. Set a WHL record with SIX overtime winners. Can you say, clutch? – Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects 

Has clearly separated himself as this draft’s top defenceman. (Byram) has done enough on both sides of the puck to project as a top-four, two-way defenceman. – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet

All situation new-age defender who can control the pace and tempo. Has high IQ for understanding the nuances of his position and executes them in a tough fashion. Has good top speed, stick and passing ability so he never hesitates coming out of his end and continuing to lead the attack down deep in the attack zone. His strong backward skating ability lets him transition into his back pedal and stop/start in his gaps if he wants to stand an attacker up. He is able to shadow attackers step-for-step. I keep reading that he is most certainly a notch ahead of last years Boqvist, Bouchard & Dobson, based on his tool box of skills. I question if he actually is their equal in terms of hockey IQ and on ice recognition, because those strengths are what allow these players to actually play to their strengths. Regardless, a team is going to get a nice chance at a top pair power play QB and maybe a top three push defender at the low end of expectations. The question is whether his skating ability helps cover up his lack of defensive recognition. – Bill Placzek, Draft Site

Calculated two-way defenseman with leadership traits and cornerstone potential who makes the proper reads while carrying an on-ice demeanor similar to that of a seasoned veteran. Byram was the CHL’s top goal scorer among defenseman in the regular season, and became the first blueliner in WHL history to lead the playoffs in scoring. Byram was absolutely critical in leading Vancouver to within one goal of the Memorial Cup in a thrilling seven-game WHL Finals against favored Prince Albert, an opponents who saw Byram log anywhere from 30-40 minutes a game.

Byram has excellent mobility and always looks to either join the rush or create a breakout by himself, and he makes difficult plays while handling the puck look easy. Byram uses flip, chip, bank or stretch passes to trap forecheckers, and he’s capable of dishing the puck with accuracy and authority while backskating or off balance. He consistently keeps his feet moving and reacts to the puck’s changing direction with quickness and confidence. Byram is a strong stickhandler who protects the puck extremely well, especially in instances when he skates methodically into traffic in the neutral zone. He’s an upright skater with a powerful stride with both lateral quickness and rapid directional changes. Byram can run the power play from the left point or the top of the umbrella and owns a devastating slap shot that is accurate, creates rebounds and requires little backswing to achieve significant velocity.

Defensively, Byram displays quick feet in maintaining a tight gap, even if a quicker opponent tries to shift gears on him. His stick is highly active and poke checks are timed without putting him at risk of getting caught flat footed. He likes to stand up at his own blue line; either to strip the puck or deliver a hard check. Byram gan be guilty of puck gazing or wandering far from his slot duties, but both are part in parcel of his desire to transition up ice in attack mode. He plays with a lot of emotion and likes to get involved in physical battles, plus give the occasional stinky glove to the mug of an unsuspecting opponent. – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst