April 15, 2008
Butler Leaves Denver, Signs with Sabres
CHN Staff Report
Denver junior defenseman Chris Butler has decided to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility after signing a professional contract with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.
Terms of Butler’s three-year entry level contract were not disclosed.
Last week, Butler was named as one of the 24 2007-08 All-Americans. This season, the St. Louis, Mo., native helped lead the Pioneers to their 15th WCHA tournament championship and first NCAA tournament appearance since winning the national title in 2005.
Butler tallied 17 points on three goals and 14 assists for Denver, which posted its seventh consecutive season with 21 or more wins. He blocked a team-leading 110 shots and finished with a plus-10 on-ice rating.
"Chris has matured into an excellent two-way defenseman," said Denver coach George Gwozdecky. "Buffalo really wanted to sign Chris, and we're happy for him and his family. We wish him nothing but success during his professional career."
Butler was selected by the Sabres in the fourth round (96th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He is the sixth Pioneer to leave Denver early for the pros since 2005, joining Brett Skinner (2005), Matt Carle (2006), Paul Stastny (2006), Ryan Dingle (2007) and Geoff Paukovich (2007).
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