College hockey's reigning national player of the year will reportedly decide where he wants to begin his professional career Sunday.
Will Butcher, the University of Denver defenseman who in April won the Hobey Baker Award and helped the Pioneers win a national championship, will choose which NHL team he plans to sign with this weekend, according to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.
Chambers reported that "as many as 10 teams" could be in the mix for Butcher's services.
The Colorado Avalanche drafted Butcher in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL draft. They held his exclusive negotiating rights but couldn't hash out a deal before Butcher became an unrestricted free agent in mid-August.
Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told The Denver Post in April that Colorado planned to offer Chambers a deal after DU's season came to a close. However, Chambers didn't appear particularly interested in signing anything Colorado gave him at the time.
“I told him (Sakic) I didn’t want an offer yet,” Butcher said.
Butcher might've been miffed after the Avalanche reportedly told his camp in 2015 they had no interest in signing him. The Avalanche were coached by Patrick Roy then. Now, Jared Bednar is in charge.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Butcher led the Pioneers with 30 assists in his final collegiate season. He also scored seven goals.
It's not clear when he will make his decision public, though he is expected to speak with The Denver Post about it Monday.
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