This is a difficult situation for any young player to be in.
Colorado Avalanche prospect Bowen Byram fought back tears after being named Team Canada’s player of the game in the World Junior Gold Medal Game against the United States. Team Canada lost 2-0 to the Americans on Tuesday in Edmonton.
Byram had to accept his award for Player of the Game while dealing with the pain of the gut-wrenching loss. Byram couldn’t even look at the camera and was consoled by forward Dylan Cozens as his name was announced over the arena speakers.
The Canadians had looked unbeatable at the 2021 World Juniors heading into the final game, but the United States played a near-flawless game to rob them of Gold. American goalie Spencer Knight stopped all 33 shots he faced, while Trevor Zegras continued his excellent tournament with a goal and an assist.
Byram is going to be a special player for the Avalanche, but that’s a heartbreaking scenario to go through. To make matters worse, Byram was tasked with presenting all the Canadian players with their silver medals.
Byram was named to the World Juniors All-Star team after putting up four points and a +13 rating in seven games for Team Canada. Finnish defenseman Ville Heinola was the other all-star blueliner.
Trevor Zegras (USA), Dylan Cozens (CAN) and Tim Stuetzle (GER) were named all-star forwards, while Canadian goalie Devon Levi was named goaltender of the tournament.
🇨🇦 Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram and Devon Levi were named to the #WorldJuniors All-Star Team.
🇨🇦 Devon Levi was also named the best goaltender of the tournament. pic.twitter.com/lGyayIrgNd
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 6, 2021
Byram was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019 and will soon join a stacked Avs blueline that already includes Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, Erik Johnson and Devon Toews.
Byram had to fight back tears after losing out on WJC Gold, but there are only bright days ahead for the stud defensive prospect.
