Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.lesolympiques.com
- Name: Paul Byron
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Birthdate: 1989-04-27
- Eligible for Draft: 2007
- Drafted: 2007
- Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
- Acquired: 6th round (179th overall), 2007
- Playing In: Pro
Paul Byron
Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: Byron’s first season in the QMJHL was spent with the Gatineau Olympiques, a 68 game campaign that resulted in 21 goals and 44 points total.
2007-08: In 52 games with Gatineau, Byron potted 37 goals and 68 points in 52 games. He excels in the postseason as he proved by netting 21 goals and 32 points in 19 playoff games on his way to the QMJHL title.
2008-09: The Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) center netted 33 goals and 99 points in 64 games, his highest totals to date. He was nominated to the QMJHL All-Star second team this season. Expect to see him make the AHL jump and appear with Portland for 2009-10.
2009-10: After signing a contract with Buffalo, Byron entered his rookie season with Portland. A fair amount of success followed the undersized center with 14 goals and 33 points.
2010-11: Byron had an excellent sophomore year for the AHL Portland Pirates while being called up on two occasions late in the season to the Buffalo Sabres where he scored his first NHL goal with an assist in eight games. The 22-year-old centerman also scored 26 goals (ten on the power play) along with 27 assists and an even rating in 67 AHL games in Portland. He contributed two goals along with five assists and an even rating in the 12 AHL playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Byron plays a solid two-way game with playmaking offensive skills and quick acceleration to get to the open ice. The small, speedy centerman does not play scared but his size could make it difficult with his defensive zone coverage at the NHL level.
Future
Byron will compete for a chance to crack the Flames' line-up but he has to impress the coaching staff enough to supplant a veteran in the top nine forwards for his chance in the NHL. The talented centerman could force the Flames to make a move in order to keep him at the NHL level to start the season. If not, he will be sent to the AHL Abbottsford Heat to start the season where he will play on one of the top two forward lines to provide the team with more offense.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: August, 17th 2011
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