NHLer Ryan O'Byrne, KidSport team up to help young hockey players

Just six days after celebrating his own 28th birthday, Colorado Avalanche defenceman Ryan O'Byrne was the one handing out bags of gifts Tuesday morning.

It was the latest example of the strength of the Victoria native's beliefs in community and giving back - values and morals taught to him at a young age.

Ryan O'Byrne pointed and said somewhere among the blizzard of pennants that adorn the walls of the Ian Stewart Complex is one that bears his name from a championship season in the Racquet Club Minor Hockey Association.

"This is where it all began," said the six-foot-five defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche, who is home for the NHL all-star break. "And now I've been thinking about giving back somehow."

That will come in the form of an annual Ryan O'Byrne Charity Camp for Atom and Peewee players, the first to take place Aug. 5-9 at the Ian Stewart rink.