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.

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