Will Butcher
{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = William Butcher
| image = 2024-12-08 EHC Red Bull München gegen ERC Ingolstadt (Deutsche Eishockey-Liga 2024-25) by Sandro Halank–131.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Butcher with Munich in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|1|6}}
| birth_place = Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 190
| position = Defense
| shoots = Left
| league = DEL
| team = EHC München
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league =
| former_teams = New Jersey Devils
Buffalo Sabres
Barys Astana
| ntl_team = USA
| draft = 123rd overall
| draft_year = 2013
| draft_team = Colorado Avalanche
| career_start = 2017
}}
William Butcher (born January 6, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for EHC Red Bull München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Butcher was selected in the fifth round, 123rd overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Early life
Butcher was born on January 6, 1995, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to parents Joe and Julie.{{cite web |title=Will Butcher |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/97590/will-butcher |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=September 12, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Milewski |first1=Todd D. |title=College hockey: Sun Prairie's Will Butcher becomes first Wisconsin-born player to win Hobey Baker Award |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/hockey/college-hockey-sun-prairie-s-will-butcher-becomes-first-wisconsin/article_2f035598-204e-5eb7-86e8-9963047125f1.html |access-date=September 12, 2021 |publisher=Wisconsin State Journal |date=April 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408134359/http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/hockey/college-hockey-sun-prairie-s-will-butcher-becomes-first-wisconsin/article_2f035598-204e-5eb7-86e8-9963047125f1.html |archive-date=April 8, 2017}}
Playing career
Butcher played college hockey at the University of Denver from 2013 to 2017. For his play in the 2016–17 season, Butcher won the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in men's college hockey.{{cite web|title=Will Butcher Named Best Player in College Hockey|url=http://news.du.edu/will-butcher-named-best-player-in-college-hockey/|website=news.du.edu|access-date=March 26, 2018|date=April 8, 2017}} He was also named a NCHC First-Team All-Star, NCHC Player of the Year, and NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year for 2016–17.{{cite web|url=http://www.nchchockey.com/news_article/show/770827|title=Denver, WMU Take Home Top Honors at 2017 NCHC Awards Celebration|last=NCHC|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=April 11, 2017|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401134418/https://www.nchchockey.com/news_article/show/770827|url-status=dead}} He helped Denver win the 2017 NCAA Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/will-butcher-and-pioneers-win-ncaa-title/c-288628414|title=Butcher Helps Denver Win NCAA Championship|publisher= Colorado Avalanche | date = May 2, 2017 | access-date = May 2, 2017}}
On August 27, 2017, as an NHL free agent, Butcher signed a two-year, entry-level maximum contract with the New Jersey Devils worth an annual base salary of $925,000.{{cite web|title=Devils agree to terms on a two-year entry-level deal with Will Butcher|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-agree-to-terms-on-a-two-year-entry-level-deal-with-will-butcher/c-290776350|website=NHL.com|access-date=August 28, 2017|date=August 27, 2017}}
After participating in his first training camp with the Devils, Butcher made the Devils' opening night roster for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=Devils announce roster for start of 2017–18 NHL season|url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-announce-roster-for-start-of-2017-18-nhl-season/c-291548742|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 8, 2017|date=October 3, 2017}} In the Devils' home opener, Butcher made his NHL debut against the Colorado Avalanche on October 7, 2017, a game in which he became the first Devils' player in franchise history to record three points in his debut, registering three assists on the power play in a 4–1 victory.{{cite web|last1=Morreale|first1=Mike G.|title=Butcher helps Devils top Avalanche|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-new-jersey-devils-game-recap/c-291690480|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 8, 2017|date=October 7, 2017}}
On July 31, 2019, Butcher signed a three-year contract extension with the Devils.{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Devils Re-Sign Butcher |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-devils-re-sign-butcher/c-308400534 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 6, 2020 |date=July 31, 2019}} On February 18, 2020, Butcher suffered a season-ending injury during the game between the Devils and St. Louis Blues. He appeared in 56 games, recording four goals and 17 assists during the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Chris |title=Devils shut out by Blues as Will Butcher, Nick Merkley leave with injuries |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2020/02/devils-shut-out-by-blues-as-will-butcher-nick-merkley-leave-with-injuries.html |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 6, 2020 |date=February 18, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Chris |title=Devils' Will Butcher out for rest of season following surgery {{!}} What it means |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2020/03/devils-will-butcher-out-for-rest-of-season-following-surgery-what-it-means.html |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 6, 2020 |date=March 5, 2020}}
After completing his fourth season with the Devils, and with his role diminishing in each season, Butcher was traded by New Jersey along with a fifth-round draft pick in 2022 to the Buffalo Sabres on July 28, 2021 for future considerations, in a move to clear cap space for the Devils.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-acquire-will-butcher-new-jersey-devils/c-325850340 | title = Sabres acquire Butcher, fifth-round pick | publisher = Buffalo Sabres | date = July 28, 2021 | access-date = July 28, 2021}} In the 2021–22 season, Butcher saw his offensive impact decrease for the fifth consecutive season, collecting two goals and eight points in just 37 games with the Sabres.
At the conclusion of his contract with Buffalo, Butcher was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars on July 22, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-sign-defenseman-will-butcher-to-one-year-contract/c-335069450 | title = Stars sign defenseman Will Butcher to a one-year contract | publisher = Dallas Stars | date = July 22, 2022 | access-date = July 22, 2022}} In the following 2022–23 season, Butcher was assigned to the AHL for the first time in his career, joining affiliate the Texas Stars. He remained in Texas for the duration of his contract, leading the blueline in scoring with 43 points while setting a franchise record with 37 assists for a defenseman in a single season.
As a free agent from the Stars, Butcher was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 3, 2023.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-defenseman-will-butcher-to-a-one-year-contract/c-345211690 | title = Penguins sign defenseman Will Butcher to a one-year contract | publisher = Pittsburgh Penguins | date = July 3, 2023 | access-date = July 3, 2023}} However, halfway through the season, Butcher was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Maxim Čajkovič.{{cite web |title=Minnesota Wild Acquires Defenseman Will Butcher from the Pittsburgh Penguins in Exchange for Forward Maxim Cajkovic |url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/minnesota-wild-acquires-butcher-for-cajkovic-012524 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 27, 2024 |date=January 26, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/minnesota-wild-acquire-d-will-butcher-from-pittsburgh-penguins-for-f-maxim-cajkovic-1.2067768 |title=Wild acquire D Butcher from Penguins for F Cajkovic |website=tsn.ca |date=January 25, 2024}}
At the conclusion of his contract with the Wild, Butcher left as a free agent and signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Kazakhstan-based club Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on July 25, 2024.{{cite web| url = https://ru.hcbarys.kz/media/news/uill-butcher-pereshyel-v-barys/ | title = Уилл Бутчер перешёл в Барыс | publisher = Barys Astana | date = July 25, 2024 | access-date = July 25, 2024 }}{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/hobey-baker-winner-nhl-all-rookie-d-man-signs-in-khl | title = Hobey Baker winner, NHL All-Rookie d-man signs in KHL |website=The Hockey News | date = July 25, 2024 | access-date = October 24, 2024 }} In the 2024–25 season, on October 18, Butcher was released by the team following just 15 appearances along with fellow North American ex-NHLers Michael McLeod and Nathan Beaulieu.{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/barys-astana-terminates-contracts-of-nathan-beaulieu-will-butcher-michael-mcleod | title = Barys Astana Terminates Contracts of Nathan Beaulieu, Will Butcher, Michael McLeod |website=The Hockey News | date = October 18, 2024 | access-date = October 24, 2024 }}
On November 22, 2024, Butcher signed to play the remainder of the 2024–25 season with Red Bull Munich of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/will-butcher-finds-new-home-in-germany | title = Will Butcher Finds New Home In Germany |website=The Hockey News | date = November 24, 2024 | access-date = November 24, 2024 }}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name=}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2018 Denmark|}}
{{MedalCompetition|World U18 Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2012 Czech Republic|}}
{{MedalSilver|2013 Russia|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Butcher was named to the senior United States roster to compete at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.{{cite web|title=2018 U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER|url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/4102041-2018-mwc-2018-u-s-men-s-national-team-staff-roster|website=teamusa.usahockey.com|access-date=April 29, 2018}}
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | |||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | |||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | |||||||||
| 2010–11
| Madison Capitols 18U AAA | T1EHL | 34 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11 | USHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011–12
| USHL | 31 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 4
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011–12 | U.S. NTDP U17 | USDP | 46 | 8 | 23 | 31 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011–12
| U.S. NTDP U18 | USDP | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2012–13 | U.S. NTDP Juniors | USHL | 26 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2012–13
| U.S. NTDP U18 | USDP | 67 | 11 | 26 | 37 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2013–14 | NCHC | 38 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2014–15
| University of Denver | NCHC | 38 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2015–16 | University of Denver | NCHC | 39 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 19
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2016–17
| University of Denver | NCHC | 43 | 7 | 30 | 37 | 18
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2017–18 | New Jersey Devils
| NHL | 81 | 5 | 39 | 44 | 8
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018–19
| New Jersey Devils | NHL | 78 | 4 | 26 | 30 | 18
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 56 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 6
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2020–21
| New Jersey Devils | NHL | 23 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | NHL | 37 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2022–23
| AHL | 65 | 6 | 37 | 43 | 16
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2023–24 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2023–24
| AHL | 24 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 2
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | KHL | 15 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2024–25
| DEL | 32 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2
| 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 275 !! 16 !! 98 !! 114 !!34 ! 5 !! 1 !! 3 !! 4 !! 0 | |||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|KHL totals ! 15 !! 0 !! 3 !! 3 !!4 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||
| 2012
| U17 | {{silver2}} | 5 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2012 | United States | U18 | {{gold1}} | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013
| United States | U18 | {{silver2}} | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2014 | WJC | 5th | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| 2015
| United States | WJC | 5th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018 | WC | {{bronze3}} | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 28 !! 4 !! 12 !! 16 !! 8 | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Senior totals ! 10 !! 1 !! 2 !! 3!! 0 |
Awards and honors
| class="wikitable"
! Award ! Year ! Ref |
| colspan="3"|College |
|---|
| NCHC First All-Star Team
| |
| AHCA West Second-Team All-American
| 2016 | |
| NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year
| 2017 | |
| NCHC Player of the Year
| 2017 | |
| AHCA West First-Team All-American
| 2017 |
| NCAA All-Tournament Team
| 2017 |
| NCAA West First All-Star Team
| 2017 | |
| Hobey Baker Award
| 2017 |
| colspan="3"|NHL |
| All-Rookie Team
| 2018 | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = Jimmy Vesey | title = Hobey Baker Award | years = 2016–17 | after = Adam Gaudette}}
{{succession box | before = Ethan Prow | title = NCHC Player of the Year | years = 2016–17 | after = Henrik Borgström}}
{{succession box | before = Ethan Prow | title = NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year | years = 2016–17 | after = Scott Perunovich}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butcher, Will}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen
Category:Buffalo Sabres players
Category:Colorado Avalanche draft picks
Category:Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey players
Category:Dubuque Fighting Saints players
Category:Hobey Baker Award winners
Category:Ice hockey people from Madison, Wisconsin
Category:Ice hockey players from Wisconsin
Category:NCAA men's ice hockey national champions
Category:New Jersey Devils players
Category:People from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin