Former Boston Bruins hero Lyndon Byers has tragically died at the age of 61, the team has announced.
Byers, a Canadian enforcer who spent the majority of his career with the Bruins and featured in two Stanley Cup finals before going on to become a popular radio personality, passed away on the morning of Friday July 4. Boston did not share a cause of death.
‘The Boston Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Lyndon Byers,’ the NHL franchise said in a statement. ‘Lyndon was a fan favorite across his nine seasons in the black & gold, thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and a key cog on the B’s teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup final in 1988 and 1990.
‘Following his playing career, Lyndon spent some 25 years as a local radio personality, entertaining scores of New Englanders every day with his quick wit and boisterous voice.
‘A son of Nipawin, Lyndon became a true Bostonian and we will miss him dearly. He is forever a part of our Bruins family.’
Byers is survived by his wife Annie and son Will. According to People, Annie also shared the news of her husband’s heartbreaking death in a post on Facebook.
Former Boston Bruins hero and radio personality Lyndon Byers has died at the age of 61
Byers spent the majority of his career with the Bruins and featured in two Stanley Cup finals
‘It is with deep regret that I have to announce that LB passed away yesterday morning,’ she wrote.
‘We recognize how many people loved and cared for him and considered him a friend. Keep LB in your memory, remember his smile, and know how much he cared about all of you.’
Byers played for the Bruins from 1983 up until 1992 before heading to the San Jose Sharks. He later brought the curtain down on his career with two seasons in the now-defunct International Hockey League.
His best season for Boston came in the 1987-88 season, when he scored 10 goals while registering 24 points and 236 penalty minutes. The Bruins were beaten in the Stanley Cup final that season and two years later in 1990 by the Edmonton Oilers on each occasion.
Across his career in the regular season Byers racked up 28 goals and 71 points, while his total of 959 penalty minutes for the Bruins sit 11th in franchise history.
After hanging up his skates, the Saskatchewan-born hockey player appeared on Boston’s WAAF radio station while also enjoying several acting roles in films and TV shows.
