Western Collegiate Hockey Association

DU's Chris Butler has passed up his senior season to sign with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres

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Denver's Chris Butler Signs with Buffalo Sabres

Junior Defenseman Leaves DU after Three Seasons and 66 Points

April 15, 2008

DENVER - University of Denver junior defenseman Chris Butler (St. Louis, Mo.) has decided to forgo his final year of 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.

Butler became DU's 34th All-America selection this season after helping the Pioneers to their WCHA-leading 15th playoff championship and first NCAA tournament appearance since claiming the national title in 2005. Butler tallied 17 points on three goals and 14 assists for Denver (26-14-1), which posted its seventh consecutive with 21 or more wins. Butler blocked a team-leading 110 shots and finished with a +10 plus/minus rating.

"Chris has matured into an excellent two-way defenseman," DU two-time national coach of the year George Gwozdecky said. "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."

The Sabres fourth-round selection (96th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Butler tallied 66 points on 20 goals and 46 assists in 115 career games. He earned All-WCHA second-team honors in 2008 and All-WCHA rookie-team accolades in 2006.

Butler joins Brett Skinner (2005), Matt Carle (2006), Paul Stastny (2006), Ryan Dingle (2007) and Geoff Paukovich (2007) as Pioneers who left DU early to turn pro since 2005.

(release courtesy of DU Media Relations Office.)