THUNDER BAY – Former Lakehead Thunderwolves forward Dylan Butler is moving on to the coaching ranks.
Butler, who wrapped up his five-year university career in 2019, is slated to join the expansion Kam River Fighting Walleye staff as an assistant under head coach Matt Valley.
The 27-year-old Thunder Bay-born Butler had 17 goals and 64 points in 116 regular season games with the Thunderwolves.
“I'm super excited to join Matt and the rest of the staff. Having been coached by Doug Colbon; I'm particularly excited to learn from him in a coaching capacity now as well,” Butler said in a release issued on Friday by the Fighting Walleye.
“I've been fortunate to have some great coaches throughout my career and I'm looking forward to passing along all the great lessons I've learned to Junior A level players.”
Valley said Butler will be a welcome fit on his staff, which also includes veteran Doug Colbon and Rylan Henley.
“I believe Butler will bring an understanding of, and passion for, the offensive zone in addition to the skillsets that are integral to our success up front,” Valley said.
“He's another hungry young local coach that Junior A caliber players will benefit from working with.”
Butler said his playing career, which also include three seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, helped prepare him to move behind the bench.
“Not being a huge guy or the most physically gifted I think I was able to excel further and further into my hockey career because of my ability to understand the cerebral aspect of the game,” Butler said.
“So, I can't wait to be able to teach the next generation everything I've learned with this exceptional staff that the Walleye have welcomed me into.”
