Paul Byron

James Paul Byron (born April 27, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, and Montreal Canadiens. Byron was drafted by the Sabres in the sixth round, 179th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL debut with Buffalo in 2011 before a trade sent him to the Flames. Playing career Amateur A native of Ottawa, Byron first played junior B hockey with the Ottawa West Golden Knights in 2005–06. He moved up to major-junior the following season with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Following a 44-point campaign in 2006–07, the Buffalo Sabres chose to select him with their sixth round pick, 179th overall, at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He remained in junior in 2007–08 where he improved to 68 points in 52 games for the Olympiques. Byron scored 32 points in 19 playoff games – second only to teammate Claude Giroux's 51 points – to help lead Gatineau to the President's Cup championship and a berth in the 2008 Memorial Cup. He played a third and final season in the QMJHL in 2008–09 where he scored 99 points in 64 games and was named a second-team all-star. Professional