As team captain in his senior season, Butcher has helped guide his Denver Pioneers to the Frozen Four national championship game as the number one ranked team in the nation. Butcher’s stellar performance as the premiere defenseman in the nation led to a host of post season awards including: the NCHC Player of the Year, Offensive Defenseman of the Year and for the second straight season, First Team all-conference. Earlier today, he was also honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association as a First Team All-American in the west.
Butcher becomes just the sixth defenseman in the 37 year history of the Hobey to be named a winner. He was the first blue-liner to be nominated as one of three Hobey hat trick finalists in eight years, last achieved when Matt Gilroy of Boston University won the award in 2009. Will joins fellow University of Denver defenseman Matt Carle (2006) to win the Hobey, becoming just the second Pioneer to be named college hockey’s top player.
Entering the national championship game, Butcher has scored seven goals, dished out 30 assists and his 37 points are second in the nation by a defenseman. The two-time All-American is equally efficient at both ends of the rink. His plus-minus of plus 27 is tied for sixth overall in the nation.
Videos on YouTube:
Will Butcher Introduction Segment
2017 Hobey Baker Top 10 Video
Top Ten:
Has 6 goals, 29 assists for 35 points in 38 games – Colorado draft (5th round)
As captain of the Pioneers, Denver were regular season champs; ranked #1 nationally
Business major – Hockey Saves volunteer assisting military personal playing hockey
Player Stats
| Type | Season | Team Name | League | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Season | 2024-2025 | Barys Astana | KHL | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -7 |
| Current Season | 2024-2025 | EHC München | DEL | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 7 |
| Hobey Winning Season | 2016-2017 | Univ. of Denver | NCAA | 7 | 30 | 37 | 18 | 27 |
2017 Runner Up
A breakout campaign has vaulted Aston-Reese to the top of the nation’s scoring charts. His 63 points is tied for first, while his 31 goals are unmatched. A consistent scorer all season, assistant captain Aston-Reese has been outstanding on special teams leading the nation with 4 short-handed goals and has added 13 power play goals.
- Has 31 goals, 32 assists for 63 points in 38 games – has 19 multiple point games
- Has recorded three hat tricks, the most in the nation – Graphic Design major
- Works with elementary schools in Boston area by reading to classes
The team captain has had a huge season and is now the program’s all-time career scoring leader while becoming the active career scoring leader in the nation (175 points). Vecchione (VECK-ee-oh-nee) is a finalist for ECAC Player of the Year and Best Defensive Forward. Entering the ECAC playoff tourney, he is third in the nation in points, second in goals and leads the nation with 21 multiple point games, leads the nation with seven game winning goals and tied for first with four short-handed tallies.
- Has 29 goals, 33 assists for 62 points in 36 games – won 61% of faceoffs, 4th in nation
- Points per game average of 1.72 is first in the nation – History major
- Active in many events; spearheaded effort to serve Thanksgiving meals at local YMCA