Cameron Butler Bio
Cameron Butler (born June 9, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He currently plays for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) while listed as a prospect for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, Butler has built his career through the Ontario Hockey League before turning professional in 2022.
After going undrafted in the NHL, Butler signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and made a memorable NHL debut in March 2024. He was later traded to the Minnesota Wild in June 2025, opening a new chapter in his young professional career.
Early Life and Background
Cameron Butler was born on June 9, 2002, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in the Ottawa area gave him early exposure to competitive hockey, and he joined the Ottawa Jr. 67s under-14 program for the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons. During that stretch, he recorded 40 points in 30 games, an early sign of the offensive potential that would define his development path.
Butler later attended St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, where he played for the school’s hockey team. He also spent time with the York Simcoe Express U16 program, where his scoring numbers grew rapidly over two seasons. Those formative years in prep and minor hockey helped prepare him for the jump to major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Butler’s path toward professional hockey accelerated in 2018 when he was selected in the second round, 27th overall, by the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. In his first season with the Petes, he appeared in 66 games and totaled 18 goals and 8 assists for 26 points, an impressive debut that showed he could produce at the major junior level.
He continued his development with the Petes in 2019–20 before being traded midseason to the Niagara IceDogs. Butler was eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft but went unselected, and the 2020–21 OHL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned as team captain of the IceDogs in 2021–22 and posted 22 points in 24 games before being traded again in January 2022, this time to the Oshawa Generals.
Cameron Butler Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Butler’s early professional development came through the Ontario Hockey League, where he spent four seasons split across three organizations. After his rookie year with the Peterborough Petes, he adjusted to life as a trade deadline acquisition with the Niagara IceDogs, finishing the 2019–20 season strong with the team.
Following the canceled 2020–21 season, Butler became captain of the IceDogs and produced 22 points in 24 games during 2021–22. His leadership and steady production earned him a midseason trade to the Oshawa Generals, where he closed out the year with 5 goals and 13 assists in 40 games. That total of 27 points between the two clubs demonstrated his ability to contribute in multiple roles.
OHL Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Returning to the Oshawa Generals for the 2022–23 season, Butler produced his best major junior campaign. He recorded 55 points on 27 goals and 28 assists in 63 games, establishing himself as one of the league’s more reliable offensive wingers. That breakout performance drew the attention of NHL scouts despite his undrafted status.
Near the end of the 2022–23 AHL season, Butler signed an amateur tryout contract with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He appeared in three games with the Monsters, gaining his first taste of professional hockey in North America’s top developmental league.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2023–2024)
On March 16, 2023, Butler signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He spent most of the 2023–24 season with the Cleveland Monsters, continuing his development as a power forward in the Blue Jackets system.
His NHL debut came under dramatic circumstances on March 30, 2024, when Columbus added him to the roster as an emergency recall. Captain Boone Jenner had fallen ill shortly before the game, leaving the Blue Jackets without an extra forward. Butler was contacted two hours away and rushed to the arena, arriving only minutes before puck drop. He played a single 54-second shift in the 4–3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to Cleveland.
Minnesota Wild Era (2025–Present)
On June 26, 2025, Butler was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Brendan Gaunce. The trade marked the beginning of a new opportunity for the young winger within a different organizational structure. He was assigned to the Iowa Wild, Minnesota’s AHL affiliate, where he continues to work toward earning a full-time NHL role.
Butler remains under contract through the 2025–26 season as part of the three-year deal he originally signed with Columbus. His size, right-shot profile, and offensive upside make him a prospect worth monitoring as he adjusts to Minnesota’s developmental system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s most memorable moment came during his emergency NHL debut with the Blue Jackets in March 2024, when his single 54-second shift against the Pittsburgh Penguins became one of the more unique stories of that NHL season. Earlier, he represented Canada White at the 2018 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, appearing in five games during the international tournament.
Cameron Butler Family
Personal Life
Cameron Butler was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and grew up in the surrounding region before attending St. Andrew’s College in Aurora. Public details about his family and personal relationships are limited, and he has largely kept his private life out of the spotlight while focusing on his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Cameron Butler’s 2025 calendar year has been defined by change and transition. After spending most of the previous seasons in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, his late-March 2024 NHL debut provided a brief but memorable taste of the league before he returned to the Cleveland Monsters.
The biggest storyline of 2025 came on June 26, when Butler was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Brendan Gaunce. The move placed him within Minnesota’s prospect pipeline and opened a fresh opportunity to compete for an NHL roster spot through the Iowa Wild.
With his entry-level contract running through 2025–26, Butler enters the upcoming season focused on earning consistent ice time at the AHL level and positioning himself for an extended NHL look. His combination of size, scoring touch, and prior emergency recall experience make him a player to watch as the Wild organization evaluates its forward depth.