Thunder Bay, ON | The Kam River Fighting Walleye nearing their completion of the inaugural staff are pleased to announce the addition of Dylan Butler to the coaching staff, in the role of Assistant Coach.
The 27-year old Thunder Bay native is coming off an exceptional junior and university hockey career, which included a stint with his hometown Lakehead University Thunderwolves. During his 5 
seasons with the Thunderwolves, Butler served as Assistant Captain, and was named the best offensive player as well as team MVP.
“I'm super excited to join Matt and the rest of the staff. Having been coached by Doug Colbon; I'm particularly excited to learn from him in a coaching capacity now as well,” said Butler. “I've been fortunate to have some great coaches throughout my career and I'm looking forward to passing along all the great lessons I've learned to Junior A level players.”
Fighting Walleye head coach Matt Valley is excited to add Butler to his staff.
“It's my pleasure to welcome Dylan to this already strong staff of ours. I believe Butler will bring an understanding of, and passion for, the offensive zone in addition to the skillsets that are integral to our success up front,” Valley stated. “He's another hungry young local coach that Junior A caliber players will benefit from working with.”
Fighting Walleye General Manager Kevin McCallum is pleased with how the coaching staff is coming together. “We are extremely excited to be adding another great piece to our coaching staff,” said McCallum. “The group that Matt Valley has assembled is second to none in the CJHL. Having our entire staff able to draw on their own college hockey experience is an asset as we develop young players to play at the next level.”
Prior to Butler's university hockey career, he played 3 seasons in the MJHL, including two seasons in Portage with the Terriers and one with the Dauphin Kings. Butler was instrumental in helping his junior teams to two national championship appearances. He is also an alumnus of the AAA Kings program, serving as assistant captain of the Major Midget Kings in his final season of minor hockey.
“Not being a huge guy or the most physically gifted I think I was able to excel further and further into my hockey career because of my ability to understand the cerebral aspect of the game,” added Butler. “So, I can't wait to be able to teach the next generation everything I've learned with this exceptional staff that the Walleye have welcomed me into.”
Dylan left Lakehead University with a Degree in Commerce majoring in finance, as well as a bachelors' degree in Economics. He now works as a financial consultant with IG Wealth Management.
Butler and the rest of the Fighting Walleye staff will get their first on-ice look at the roster when their evaluation camp begins on August 21st at the Tournament Centre. Interested players born 2000- 2004 can sign up on the teams' website, www.fightingwalleye.com.