Avalanche agree to deals with defencemen Ryan O'Byrne and Matt Hunwick

DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche have signed defencemen Ryan O'Byrne and Matt Hunwick.

O'Byrne, signed to a two-year deal on Thursday, was acquired from Montreal in November and had a career-high 10 assists in 64 games with the Avalanche. The 26-year-old was the team leader in hits (168), along with finishing second in blocked shots (126) and third in penalty minutes (71).

Hunwick, signed to a one-year contract, was picked up by the Avalanche in a trade with Boston in late November. He had 10 assists in 51 games with Colorado.