Colorado Avalanche Defenseman Leaves Team for Personal Reasons

It's been a tough go these past couple of years for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram and the young defenseman recently decided he was leaving the team for personal reasons.

Adrian Dalter of Colorado Hockey Now landed an exclusive interview with Byram and brought to light what's transpired these last few days. Byram travelled with the Avalanche to Nashville on Tuesday and ended up calling his parents and admitting - "I can't do it. I can't play and feel like this."

Dalter mentions Byram woke up not feeling well, concussion symptoms had returned and the 20-year-old defenseman did what was best for his own health and went to the team and let them know he was unfit to play. The former fourth overall selection of the Avalanche has dealt with concussions for a couple of seasons now and needs to get ahead of the symptoms before he can return to the ice.

Dalter spoke with Bryam's father Shawn, who had this to say:

I think he feels, like we all do, that he has to really get to the bottom of this. We’re trying to research this and do our due diligence, and the Avalanche have been great. We’re happy with how he’s been treated and all that. It’s ultra-frustrating for him and it’s frustrating for us. But we’ve just got to keep trying. At the end of the day, we’re hoping it’s a kid playing hockey at the highest level he can.

Byram remains in Denver and will be around the team. It's likely he takes the rest of this season off and comes back stronger next season. He's a stud defenseman who's going to have a long successful career in the league. We certainly wish him nothing but health and happiness.

Photo credit:  Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports