Future Watch: Will Butcher Rookie Hockey Cards, Devils – Will Butcher was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. When they first selected him they probably couldn’t predict what would happen and how he became a rookie for the New Jersey Devils.
Butcher was always considered an elite player in Team USA’s very deep system. From 2011-13 he was a part of the NTDP playing with Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg), Ryan Hartman (Chicago), Jack Eichel (Buffalo) and Dylan Larkin (Detroit) to name a few. He was considered an offensive defenseman who could handle his play in his own end. At 5-10, 190 pounds, back then, some thought he might struggle to play in the NHL someday.
In 2013, he won a gold medal with the U18 team. In 2014-15 he was a top three player on his team at the U20 WJC. In 2015-16 he was a first-team All-Star with the University of Denver and in 2016-17 he was voted the best offensive defenseman in the NCHC and he helped lead his team to a National Championship.
With his draft rights expiring last summer he met with a host of teams and the New Jersey Devils won the popularity contest and he signed with the team. Still there were questions if he could play directly out of college but those questions quickly went away as preseason and eventually the regular season advanced on.
Collectors can get his Young Guns rookie card in 2017-18 Upper Deck Series One hockey. He also has rookies in Parkhurst, and SP Game-Used.
Here’s a look at his NHL debut where he had three assists, A Devils record: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZUpA064YL0
Butcher became the first NHL rookie defenseman with eight assists in his first five games. He continues to set Devils records as their solid season rolls on. With 26 points in his first 43 games he has a chance to be in the Calder conversation by season’s end.
Future Watch: Will Butcher Rookie Hockey Cards, Devils – Other Resources
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