It was a season of collegiate hockey to remember for a local goaltender.
University of Calgary goaltender Dustin Butler took his team on his back this season and led the Canada West conference in all major statistical categories helping the Dinos to a berth in the national tournament.
Predictably, however, Butler was much more enthused by advancements made by the Dinos men’s hockey program as a whole.
After falling in the Canada West finals to Alberta, the Dinos earned a wild-card spot in the Canadian University Cup championship tournament.
“It was a good season for me personally,” Butler said. “More importantly though for our team and our program we made a couple big steps forward so we can hopefully be recognized as one of the dominant programs in Canada West.”
Although the Dinos failed to advance to the playoff round in the University Cup tournament, Butler said he and his teammates served notice to the rest of the country they can play at an elite level.
“We lost with four seconds left, by a fluky bounce, to the number one team in the country. We definitely showed everybody that we can play,” said Butler of their 2-1 loss to New Brunswick in the pool portion of the tournament.
In his first trip to the University Cup, Butler played well allowing only five goals in two games. However, the Dinos managed only three goals themselves in their two straight losses.
After playing four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers, Butler was well equipped to handle the pressure of playing in front of a large crowd at the University Cup.
However, the uniqueness of playing for a university title is something the High River product will not soon forget.
“We’re definitely going to remember that experience for the rest of our lives,” he said. “It’s what you play for all season.”
What helped ease any residual pressure were the familiar faces on either side of the ice for the University of Calgary netminder.
After playing against high-level competition since 2003-2004, the players he has encountered along the way have begun to resurface at the collegiate level.
“It wasn’t like we were going in and seeing a whole bunch of new faces – it was guys you’ve played your Western League career against,” he said. “It’s fun to get out there and compete on a stage like that.”
In his third season with the Dinos, Butler had a breakout season as the 23 year-old won 13 of his 21 games while maintaining a 2.12 goals against average and a stellar .926 save percentage.
Butler’s efforts did not go unnoticed by the CIS as he was given the Goaltender of the Year award and named to the All-Canadian Team.
“It’s definitely humbling and rewarding,” he reflected. “You’d trade all that to win a national championship so it’s a good personal award, but it would’ve been nice to come home with a team championship.”
While all of these awards will look good on his trophy case one day, Butler said he still has too many things on his plate, hockey-wise, to wallow in any self-congratulation.
“Right now it’s just in the moment, you don’t really reflect too much on it,” he said.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Butler plans to play out his university career before seeking opportunities elsewhere.
While the National Hockey League dream seems far away, the Dinos’ goalie can look to a guy like Calgary assistant coach Cory Cross to keep the dream alive.
The former Maple Leaf and Edmonton Oiler defenceman was one of the few players who made the successful transition from the CIS to the NHL.
“It’s kind of nice to see that he did it and it can happen. You just need your shot,” Butler said.
The Dinos’ star chose to forego several professional tryout opportunities after the completion of his Junior career in order to pursue his education.
Butler said he does not regret his decision.
“I had five years of free school paid for so I was advised to take that rather than sign a one-year minor pro deal. Looking back, it looks like the right decision,” he said.
The Physical Geography and Earth Sciences major will continue to pursue the dream, however, of one day tending the nets in the NHL.
“Obviously, I still love the game and hopefully I can play at the next level,” he said. “I feel like I’ve progressed lots as a person and a goalie.”
