Montreal Canadiens - Paul Byron

Source : hockeysfuture.com

History

2006-07: Paul 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.
2011-12: Obtained by Calgary in a June 2011 trade with Buffalo, Byron appeared in 22 games for the Flames and skated for Calgary's AHL affiliate in his third pro season. After opening the season with Abbotsford, he made his debut with the Flames in early November and had four call-ups during the year. He scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was plus-three with 2 penalty minutes with the Flames. Byron scored 7 goals with 14 assists and was an even plus/minus with 40 penalty minutes in 39 games for Abbotsford. The Heat finished second in the West Division and reached the second round of the playoffs. Byron scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was plus-one with 2 penalty minutes in eight 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 start the season with the Abbottsford Heat at the AHL level but will need play on one of the top two forward lines and show improved offensive numbers. If the speedy forward can get good results early in the season, he may have the chance to play in Calgary again this year should the NHL lockout get settled in time for the 2012-13 season.