Eurolanche

O’Byrne signs with Prague

Former Avs defenseman Ryan O’Byrne signed a 2-year deal with Lev Prague of the KHL. The team announced O’Byrne’s signing per the official team website yesterday.

O’Byrne started his junior hockey career with the Victoria Salsa. The 6-foott-5 defenseman also played for the Nanaimo Clippers, but opted to play U.S. collegiate hockey instead of pursuing a CHL career. Two years later, he went on to play in the NCAA, suiting up for the Cornell Big Red and being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens prior to his first year at Cornell (79th overall at the 2003 entry draft). During his sophmore season with Cornell, O’Byrne helped Cornell regain the ECAC championship. 

After attending training camp with the Canadiens, O’Byrne was assigned to the AHL before getting a call-up in 2008. During the 2010-11 season, O’Byrne was traded to the Avalanche in exchange for Michael Bournival. He went on to play 172 games for the Avalanche, racking up 21 points and 182 penalty minutes. O’Byrne was later shipped off to Toronto in exchange for a 4th-round pick in the 2014 draft. He played just 8 games for the Leafs. He wasn’t offered a new contract. O’Byrne played a total of 308 games with 39 points and 369 penalty minutes. O’Byrne will play abroad for the first time.