Tigers alum Butcher nets three points for Oilers at Young Stars tournament

By Ryan McCracken on September 9, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Chad Butcher took one giant step toward a future in the National Hockey League on Friday night in Penticton.

“I hadn’t played a game in a long time so I had to shake the nerves off a bit,” said Butcher. “I got a feel for things as it went and my line built some chemistry and made plays happen.”

The 21-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers alumnus scored twice and added an assist to help lead the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames at the annual Young Stars tournament.

Butcher was joined on the Oilers by Tabbies alumnus and former linemate Steven Owre, while current Tigers Mark Rassell and Zach Fischer laced up their skates with the Calgary Flames. Fischer — drafted in the fifth round, 140th overall — registered an assist for Calgary.

“It was really cool to go up against some old teammates,”said Butcher. “I’ll never forget my time as a Tiger.”

Butcher signed a contract with Edmonton’s AHLaffiliate Bakersfield Condors in April for the upcoming 2017-18 season, but he’s making waves with the big-league club as well.

“That’s something I’m excited about,” said Butcher. “It’s a great organization here in Edmonton and with the Condors. I’m really excited moving forward.

Butcher started the scoring for Edmonton after Juuso Valimaki put the Flames in front by finishing off a pass from Fischer.

While Mark Jankowski pushed the flames back in front before the first intermission, Butcher kick-started a three-goal second for Edmonton with a breakaway snipe early in the frame and added an assist on Kirill Maksimov’s late insurance marker.