Chris Butler Chris Butler ( born October 27 , 1986 ) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . He was a fourth round selection of the Buffalo Sabres , chosen 96th overall at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft . He then played three seasons at the University of Denver before turning professional in 2008 . Early life . Butler grew up in St . Louis , Missouri , playing both hockey and baseball . His father Doug was also a professional hockey player , drafted by the NHL ' s Boston Bruins and the Calgary Cowboys of the World Hockey Association in 1977 , and played parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League ( AHL ) . Doug coached his son as the younger Butler grew up . Chris ' s mother , martha , was also an athlete who played field hockey while she attended university in St . Louis . Playing career . Junior and college . Butler played high school hockey in St . Louis , one season in Junior B followed by two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League ( USHL ) . He led the Musketeers with a + 36 plus - minus rating in 2004 – 05 , played in the league ' s All - Star Game and was named to the first All - Star team following the season . He was then selected by the Buffalo Sabres , 96th overall , in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft but first committed to attend and play hockey at the University of Denver . In his first season with the Denver Pioneers , Butler was selected to join the United States junior team at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships . He played four games for the fourth place Americans . Butler spent three seasons with the Pioneers , scoring 20 goals and 66 points in that time . He was the team ' s assistant captain in 2007 – 08 and was considered the team ' s top defenseman while being named an All - American . Butler left the Pioneers following his junior season , signing an entry - level contract with the Sabres . Professional career . Butler began the 2008 – 09 season with the Sabres ' AHL affiliate , the Portland Pirates . He appeared in 27 games for the Pirates and scored 12 points when he was recalled to Buffalo on December 18 , 2008 . He made his NHL debut the following night against the Los Angeles Kings , a 5 – 0 victory in which he scored his first NHL point with an assist on a goal by Adam Mair . He scored his first goal on March 20 , 2009 , against Martin Biron Philadelphia Flyers . Butler appeared in 47 games for the Sabres in his rookie season , scoring two goals and four assists . An ankle injury forced Butler out of the Sabres ' lineup for 12 games in 2009 – 10 , but he posted improved offensive numbers , scoring 21 points in 59 games . Still , he found himself marginalized by the Sabres late in the season , and stated himself that he lacked consistency in his play in 2010 – 11 . He appeared in 49 games for the Sabres , and while his offensive production dropped to nine points , he improved his plus - minus to + 8 after finishing - 15 the year previous . Following the season , however , Butler was packaged in a deal that saw him dealt to the Calgary Flames along with Paul Byron on June 25 , 2011 , in exchange for Robyn Regehr , Ales Kotalik and a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft . The Flames quickly signed him to a two - year , US $ 2 . 5 million contract .