Bill Butters

Bill Butters (born January 10, 1951) is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He competed in the World Hockey Association (WHA) between 1975 and 1978, followed by a stint in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1978 to 1979. After retiring from playing, Butters transitioned into coaching, spending several years as an assistant coach with the University of Minnesota before continuing his coaching career at the NCAA Division III level and in high school hockey.

Bill Butters
Born	(1951-01-10) January 10, 1951 (age 74) Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Right
Played for	Minnesota Fighting Saints Houston Aeros Edmonton Oilers New England Whalers Minnesota North Stars
NHL draft	Undrafted
WHA draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1973–1980

Life and career

Butters was born on January 10, 1951, in Saint Paul, Minnesota,^[1] and played his high school hockey in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He continued his hockey career at the University of Minnesota from 1971 to 1973, where he was coached by Glen Sonmor and Herb Brooks, and served as team captain during the 1972–73 season. Butters later played 217 games in the World Hockey Association (WHA), suiting up for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Houston Aeros, Edmonton Oilers, and New England Whalers. He also appeared in 72 National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Minnesota North Stars.

In 1980, after concluding his professional playing career, Butters dedicated his time to mentoring young athletes by joining Christian Hockey Camps International. The camps, operated by Hockey Ministries International, provide a platform for players to develop both their hockey skills and their Christian faith.^[2]

Between 2010 and 2012, Butters served as an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin Badgers.^[3][4] He later resigned from this role to resume his work with the Ministries.^[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1966–67	White Bear High School	HS-MN		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	University of Minnesota	WCHA		27	0	1	1	52		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	University of Minnesota	WCHA		29	1	9	10	100		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	University of Minnesota	WCHA		33	3	6	9	110		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Oklahoma City Blazers	CHL		71	7	18	25	174		10	2	4	6	37
1974–75	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		24	2	2	4	58		12	1	0	1	21
1974–75	Oklahoma City Blazers	CHL		32	5	9	14	192		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		59	0	15	15	170		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Houston Aeros	WHA		14	0	4	4	18		17	0	3	3	51
1976–77	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		42	0	7	7	133		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Edmonton Oilers	WHA		7	0	2	2	17		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	New England Whalers	WHA		26	1	8	9	65		5	0	1	1	15
1977–78	New England Whalers	WHA		45	1	13	14	69		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		23	1	0	1	30		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		49	0	4	4	47		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Oklahoma City Stars	CHL		14	1	2	3	31		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	Oklahoma City Stars	CHL		73	3	8	11	134		—	—	—	—	—
WHA totals				217	4	51	55	530		34	1	4	5	87
NHL totals				72	1	4	5	77		—	—	—	—	—