"I'm Super Excited To End Up In Chicago": Bowen Byram Is Ready For A Big Role With Blackhawks
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Vinnie PariseThu, June 25, 2026 at 12:13 AM UTC·4 min readThe Chicago Blackhawks made a bold move when they acquired Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. In the deal, they also acquired forward Jordan Greenway in exchange for Louis Crevier, along with picks 4 and 45 in the 2026 NHL Draft.
On Tuesday, he was introduced via a Zoom call with the media for the first time, where he answered a variety of questions. He led things off by talking about how happy he was to play for the Blackhawks.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“I’m super excited to end up in Chicago," Byram said. "It’s been one of my favorite teams growing up. My dad played in the organization. It's always the place I wanted to end up. I'm super excited to be a part of the team."
It is always good for an organization when they are able to acquire players who truly want to be there. Whether it's because they were a fan of the team growing up, they want the opportunity that the team is offering, or the money matches their demands, they always play better when they are happy.
For Byram, it seems like the Blackhawks will provide all three of those things for him, especially the opportunity to be the number one defenseman for the first time in his career.
"It's an attractive place for me," Byram said. "I feel like I'll get the opportunity to play, do what I can to help the team improve and win."
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen Byram was selected by the Colorado Avalanche 4th overall in 2019, he went to a team that was deep on the back end. He was always, at a minimum, behind Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Sam Girard.
Then, when he was traded to Buffalo, he took off as a player, but he was still behind Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samelsson, and even Owen Power at times on the depth chart. Now, he will be given the top pair, first power-play minutes.
"I've been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time," Byram said. "I feel like I'm a two-way defenseman, I transport the puck, I can move the puck, whether it's passing the puck up ice, moving my feet, using my skating to transport it. I think I can help the power play, but I also think I'm a good defender. I use my feet to defend, close quickly, and try to kill plays. I'm super excited to have this opportunity. I don't take it lightly."
Byram comes to Chicago with one year remaining on his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $6.25 million. On July 1st, he will be eligible for an extension, which he is extremely willing to accept with his new team.
"I'm hoping eventually we can get to that point [an extension]," Byram said when asked about his current situation in that regard. "Chicago is a place I've wanted to be for a long time. I plan on being in Chicago for a long time."
Bowen Byram took some time to get his game in the NHL to where it is today. Limited ice time, injuries, and inconsistencies were there early, but he battled through them. Byram believes he can bring some knowledge on how to deal with those struggles to some of the younger defenseman on the Blackhawks right now.
The Blackhawks have had a hard time scoring goals in recent seasons, and that was the case again in 2025-26. For Byram, both at even strength and on the power play, he has the tools to help them start to trend in the right direction when it comes to finding the back of the net.
"My job is to be myself," Byram said when asked about how he can help them score more. "I think I break the puck out well. I move the puck well. I think I'll get the puck to the hands of our forwards quickly and efficiently. You want your skilled forwards having the puck, creating, and attacking."
AdvertisementAdvertisementFor being just 25 years old, Byram has a lot of great experience, and his perspective is one that most would describe as a winning mentality. He wants to be on the ice in the game's biggest moments. He wants to live up to being a fourth overall pick, number one defenseman, and highly paid player.
For being a player who had an early taste of what it's like to win a championship, it's clear that he has the desire to do it again. That type of hunger could be what turns this into a successful trade, despite the team giving up a lot to acquire him.
"My goal is to win the Stanley Cup every single year," Byram said. "I want to come to Chicago and help the team make the playoffs and win. That's my goal. Winning is a lot better than losing."
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
