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.
Life and career Butters was born on January 10, 1951, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, 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.
Between 2010 and 2012, Butters served as an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin Badgers. He later resigned from this role to resume his work with the Ministries.
Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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 — — — — —
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