Will Butcher wins Hobey Baker award

University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher has been named the 2017 winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player.

The 22-year-old captain of the Pioneers recorded seven goals and 30 assists in 42 games this season, while also displaying a rock-solid defensive game and leading his team to the NCAA men's hockey championship game to be played against Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday.

Butcher beat out fellow finalists Mike Vecchione (Union College) and Zack Aston-Reese (Northeastern).

Butcher, a fifth-round pick of the Colorado Avalancahe back in 2013, is the sixth defenseman to take home the honor in the 37-year history of the award.