(above) Professional hockey player Chris Butler hopes to finish his degree from DU within two yearsFrom: Portland Pirates.com
Portland, Maine - When Chris Butler signed a contract with the Buffalo Sabres on April 13, 2008, opting to forgo his final year at the University of Denver, he became the fourth player in the past three years to leave DU early for a chance to play in the NHL. His collegiate career may be over on the ice, but off the ice it's a different story; Butler plans to complete his bachelor's degree in Business within the next two years to keep a promise he made to his grandmother. That shows loyalty and determination that would be welcome by teammates and fans wherever he plays.
In the 2007-2008 season, Butler earned RBK/Hockey AHCA West-All American second-team honors and All-WCHA second-team accolades. He was named to the WCHA Final Five and Wells Fargo Denver Cup all-tournament teams. Butler blocked a team high 110 shots while scoring three goals and 17 points in 41 games for the Pioneers. The St. Louis, Missouri native appeared in 115 games over three seasons and finished his collegiate career with 66 points on 20 goals and 46 assists.
RPI head coach and former DU assistant Seth Appert describes Butler saying, "He's the ultimate two way defenseman. He can and does provide offense, but he does it with minimal risk to his game. When he contributes offensively he does it by making great decisions. Chris is a rare defenseman that runs the first power play, but can also match against the other team's top line."
Butler represented team USA at the 2006 World Junior Championships held in Vancouver, Canada, where he was a teammate of fellow Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe. In the 2004-2005 season, he led Sioux City (USHL) with a +36 plus/minus rating and was named to the first team All-USHL, earning a spot in the USHL All-Star Game.
In the 2007-2008 season, Butler earned RBK/Hockey AHCA West-All American second-team honors and All-WCHA second-team accolades. He was named to the WCHA Final Five and Wells Fargo Denver Cup all-tournament teams. Butler blocked a team high 110 shots while scoring three goals and 17 points in 41 games for the Pioneers. The St. Louis, Missouri native appeared in 115 games over three seasons and finished his collegiate career with 66 points on 20 goals and 46 assists.
RPI head coach and former DU assistant Seth Appert describes Butler saying, "He's the ultimate two way defenseman. He can and does provide offense, but he does it with minimal risk to his game. When he contributes offensively he does it by making great decisions. Chris is a rare defenseman that runs the first power play, but can also match against the other team's top line."
Butler represented team USA at the 2006 World Junior Championships held in Vancouver, Canada, where he was a teammate of fellow Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe. In the 2004-2005 season, he led Sioux City (USHL) with a +36 plus/minus rating and was named to the first team All-USHL, earning a spot in the USHL All-Star Game.
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