The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) has named Golden Rockets forward Dawson Butler its Rookie of the Week for the period ending Dec. 7.
In two games, the Fort McMurray, Alta., product recorded two goals and three assists. He had a goal and an assist in a 5–4 shootout win over the Fernie Ghostriders, then added a goal and three points in a 6–5 victory against his former team, the Merritt Centennials. Now four games into his tenure with the Rockets following a recent trade, Butler says he’s happy to be helping his new club collect important points in the playoff race.
“I’ve played pretty good. Against my former team, there was a bit of motivation to beat them,” says Butler. “I had a great time in Merritt.”
Rockets head coach and general manager Jed Houseman says Butler has been an outstanding addition.
“Dawson’s game pace is unbelievable. He really brings another element with his speed and offensive instincts,” says Houseman. “He has a good IQ and can create offence by finding things that aren’t quite there for others. His dynamic speed is one of his greatest assets.”
Butler describes himself as a speedy playmaker who likes to read the play as he enters the zone and controls the puck at the right tempo. He knows when to attack with pace.
“If I get the puck, I know I’m more than capable of putting it in the net,” he says. “I feel like I can pressure the puck very well with my speed, and that helps me create turnovers.”
