Chris Butler (ice hockey)

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Position	Defence
Height Weight	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg/13 st 13 lb)
NCAA Team (P) Cur. team F. teams	Denver Pioneers Buffalo Sabres (NHL) Sioux City Musketeers
Nationality	United States
Born	October 27, 1986, St. Louis, Missouri
NHL Draft	96th overall, 2005 Buffalo Sabres
Pro career	TBA – present

Chris Butler (born October 27, 1986) is an ice hockey player for the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

In April 2008, Butler decided to leave the University of Denver early to sign with the NHL Buffalo Sabres. Butler, who likely would have been captain of his college team next season, is the fourth player — and third junior — in the past three years to leave DU early to sign an NHL deal. Named to the All-America second team Friday April 11, 2008, Butler was recognized as the Pioneers' best defenceman and two-way player. He had 17 points (three goals) this season, and had a team-high 110 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating.

Butler joins Matt Carle (San Jose Sharks), Ryan Dingle (Anaheim Ducks) and Geoff Paukovich (Edmonton Oilers) in leaving DU after their junior season. Two years ago, Paul Stastny signed with the Avalanche after his sophomore season.

[edit] Career statistics

			Regular Season
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003–04	Sioux City Musketeers	USHL	55	3	6	9	37
2004–05	Sioux City Musketeers	USHL	60	6	22	28	90
2005–06	Denver Pioneers	NCAA	32	7	14	21	26
2006–07	Denver Pioneers	NCAA	37	10	17	27	40
2007–08	Denver Pioneers	NCAA	36	3	14	17	30