Former NHLer Lyndon Byers passes away at 61
A former tough guy has passed away.
On Saturday, it was announced that former NHLer Lyndon Byers died on July 4 at the age of 61.
Byers’ wife, Annie, posted about her late husband on Facebook.
Byers played parts of 10 seasons in the NHL from 1983 to 1993, and is best remembered for his tenure with the Boston Bruins. Known for his rough and tough style, the Nipawin, Saskatchewan native became a fan favorite in New England, spending time with both the Bruins and their American Hockey League and International Hockey League affiliate of the late ’80s.
Not the noted goal scorer, Byers’ best season came in 1987-88, when he posted career highs in goals (10), assists (14) and points (24). He also posted a career-best 236 penalty minutes in 53 games, placing him 19th in the NHL in PIM.
That spring, he was part of the Bruins team that advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in a decade. They ultimately lost to the high-powered Edmonton Oilers in four games. Boston and Byers made it back to the championship series two years later, only to lose to the Oilers once again.
The former Regina Pat ended up playing parts of nine seasons with the Bruins, last appearing in the NHL during the 1992-93 season with the San Jose Sharks. Byers last played professionally in 1994-95, suiting up seven times for the IHL’s Minnesota Moose.
The Bruins posted on social media, sending their condolences to Byers’ friends and family.
“Lyndon was a fan favorite across his nine seasons in the Black & Gold, thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and was a key cog on the B’s teams,” the Bruins wrote. “Lyndon became a true Bostonian and we will miss him dearly. He is forever a part of our Bruins family. Our thoughts are with his wife, Annie, and son, Will, during this very difficult time.”
In 279 NHL games, Byers scored 28 goals and 43 assists for 71 points, registering 1,081 penalty minutes. His 959 PIMs with the Bruins rank 11th in franchise history.
After his playing career, Byers became part of a hit morning show in Boston and was a voice on the city’s airwaves for nearly a quarter-century. He also made his way into film and television, working alongside noted Bruins fan Denis Leary on several episodes of the TV show, Resume Me, along with other film appearances.