CHICAGO — University of Denver captain Will Butcher was named the 37th winner of the Hobey Baker Award on Friday in an NHL Network televised show at the Navy Pier.
Butcher, a senior defenseman and 2013 Avalanche draft pick, became the second from DU to be named the national player of the year, and first since defenseman Matt Carle in 2006. Senior forwards Mike Vecchione of Union and Zach Aston-Reese of Northeastern were the other finalists.
“I’m honored to be chosen for such a prestigious award,” Butcher said from the podium. “There are a lot of people who have helped me along the way that have made it possible for me to be here today. First, I thank my teammates because without them this honor would not have been possible. As I’ve said before I believe this award to be a team award. Tonight, as I accept this award, I accept it on behalf of our entire team at DU.”
Butcher is DU’s fourth-leading scorer with 37 points (team-high 30 assists) in 42 games, and he has a plus-27 rating.
Butcher’s teammates were not at the ceremony. They were at the Navy Pier earlier for an autograph session but ordered to return to the team hotel by coach Jim Montgomery. Denver will play for its eighth national championship Saturday against Minnesota-Duluth at the United Center.
“They need their rest and I was overcome with emotion myself — just really happy for Will — and I don’t want our players going through that,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got a bigger thing to accomplish tomorrow.”
Montgomery draws from experience. He’s was Maine’s captain in 1993 when Paul Kariya became the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, and the Black Bears were preparing for the national title the following night. They beat Lake Superior State 5-4 on Montgomery’s third-period hat trick.
“I was the only student-athlete who went to the event,” Montgomery said. “(Coach) Shawn Walsh wanted me there and Paul Kariya wanted me there. I thought it was smart that Shawn had the rest of the team go back. So our focus has to be on tomorrow night.”
As for Butcher winning the award, Montgomery said: “I’m just really happy that the voters realized that he was the most valuable player on one of the top teams all year. And he was voted the best player in what has been known as the best conference in the country. He was incredibly valuable to our success throughout the year.”
The Avalanche has until Aug. 15 to sign Butcher or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Last year’s Hobey winner, Jimmy Vesey of Harvard, used the UFA route last summer to sign with the New York Rangers. Four years earlier, Vesey was drafted by the Nashville Predators.
“I hope that (the Avs) sign him because it’d be nice to have him in our backyard for recruiting purposes,” Montgomery joked.