Two Vancouver Giants are returning from the 2021 IIHF world juniors in Edmonton with silver medals.
Defenceman Bowen Byram and head coach Michael Dyck went all the way to the gold medal final on Tuesday night, Jan. 5, when Canada dropped a hard-fought matchup to Team USA. The final score was 2-0.
During the tournament, Byram managed one goal and four assists along with a tournament best plus-13 rating.
He was named a tournament all-star, and one of Canada鈥檚 top three players for the tournament, along with forward Dylan Cozens and goaltender Devon Levi.
He also received two player of the game awards for Canada.
Congrats to CHL players & co-captains & named Top Players for 馃嚚馃嚘 after semi-final victory.
鈥� Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey)
Byram is the first ever member of the 91原创-based Vancouver Giants WHL franchise to capture multiple medals at the world juniors.
Michael Dyck was named an assistant coach for Canada鈥檚 World Junior team back in June, part of a coaching staff that also included Andr茅 Tourigny, Mitch Love and Tyler Dietrich.
Giants issued a statement saying the team 鈥渨ould like to wish a heartfelt congratulations to both Bowen Byram and Michael Dyck for their first class representation of the Vancouver Giants, the Western Hockey League and the country of Canada.鈥�
READ ALSO: Former Giant Bowen Byram rides out COVID lockdown at Team Canada training camp
Both Byram and Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens were named co-captains of Canada鈥檚 U-20 squad in December after former Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach, Canada鈥檚 original captain, left the tournament due to injury.
The tournament was played with no fans in the stands to prevent the spread of COVID-19, operating under the same bubble concept that was successfully deployed by the NHL and the NBA.
Any player, coach or team staff member who tested positive for the virus after Nov. 29 was ineligible to enter Edmonton鈥檚 鈥渂ubble,鈥� which meant a number of European players could not compete as a result.
Bo just out for a stroll. |
鈥� The WHL (@TheWHL)
It also meant Team Canada members couldn鈥檛 return home for Christmas.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Meet Zurie, the newest addition to the family of Vancouver Giants head coach Michael Dyck
Players battled to a continuous hum of canned crowd noise, including 鈥榦ohs鈥� and 鈥榓ahs鈥� on hard shots and great saves.
Tuesday鈥檚 win was the first gold medal for the Americans since they won it all in 2017.
Finland defeated Russia 4-1 earlier Tuesday to win bronze.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
