NHL Note - New Jersey Devils Butcher, Will

Aug 28, 2017 - 7:14 AM D Will Butcher, the 2017 Hobey Baker Award recipient, agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with Devils on Sunday.

Butcher will receive an average annual salary of $925,000. The 22-year-old was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2013 draft, but elected not to sign with the club and became an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 16. A college player has four years to sign with the team that drafts him before he can become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 16 of that fourth year.

Butcher spent four seasons with the University of Denver and served as team captain in 2016-17, helping the Pioneers win the NCAA national championship. He collected seven goals and 30 assists in 43 games last season.