Colorado Avalanche defenceman Bowen Byram has been traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt.

Byram, a product of Cranbrook, B.C., won a Stanley Cup with the Avs in the 2021/22 NHL season, one year after breaking into the pros full-time from the Western Hockey League.

So far this season, Byram has tallied eight goals and collected 12 assists in 55 games with the Avalanche.

Byram, a 4th overall pick in the NHL Draft in 2019, spent his major junior career with the Vancouver Giants, where he developed into a top prospect, posting 71 points in his draft year.

Byram joins an already stacked defensive corps in Buffalo with the likes of two former first-overall picks in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.

The Sabres are currently in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings, and 10 points out of a wildcard spot.

In exchange, Mittelstadt brings some depth scoring to the Avalanche, which are currently in forth place in the Western Conference as they gear up for another post-season run.

Mittelstadt, a seventh overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, has 14 goals and 33 assists in 62 games this year and is on pace to eclipse his career high of 59 points, previously set last season.

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