The Columbus Blue Jackets have dipped their toes into the pool of undrafted free agent prospects, signing Cameron Butler to a three-year entry-level contract that kicks in next season.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen released the following:
Cameron is a physical forward with size, strength, toughness and tremendous character and leadership. He is a hard-working, competitive player and we are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.
The 6’4″ Butler currently plays for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, where he has been an intimidating force all season. With a career-high 24 goals and 49 points in 59 games, while racking up 111 penalty minutes, he has developed into an effective power forward (on a team full of them) that now has a chance to play pro hockey.
Now 20, the question for Butler moving forward will be whether his late-blooming offense will continue, or whether he tops out as a physical presence at the next level. There have been plenty of players to make it to the NHL without much scoring touch, but it is a much more difficult route.
He’ll likely join the Cleveland Monsters next season and test himself at the AHL level.