Former men’s hockey defenseman Ryan O’Byrne ’07 was called up today to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens. O’Byrne had been playing for Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, and will make his debut tomorrow night against the Boston Bruins. In 18 games so far this season for Hamilton, O’Byrne has recorded two points and six assists after recording 12 points for the Bulldogs last year. During his three seasons at Cornell, the blue-liner notched 25 total points and his seven goals during the 2005-2006 season was the most among the defensemen on the squad. O’Byrne will look to use his size – he is 6-5 and weighs 234 pounds – to help out a Canadiens team that has been struggling of late.
O’Byrne is the second former Cornellian to make his NHL debut this year. Earlier in the season, Matt Moulson ’06 scored three goals and tallied an assist for the Los Angeles Kings, but was sent back down to the AHL on Monday. O’Byrne therefore will join Doug Murray ’03 as the only former Red players currently playing in the NHL.