Is it possible that former University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher unknowingly dropped a hint about where he might end up in the NHL during the 2015-16 season?

During our One-Timers interview, Butcher mentioned the craziest goal he’d ever seen came off the backside of his good buddy Steve Santini during the 2014 World Junior Championship. Santini, a steady defenseman who played college hockey at Boston College, was a teammate of Butcher’s at the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2011-13.

Santini played his first full season of pro hockey last season with … the New Jersey Devils, the same team Butcher elected to sign with on Aug. 27.

Of course, it’s likely just a coincidence, but it did strike me as funny.

More Butcher: If there is one quote about Butcher I will always remember, it came from DU coach Jim Montgomery two seasons ago. After a rare off night by Butcher, he turned it on the next night in the second game of an NCHC series. The coach’s quote was something to the effect of – “His hockey smarts and hands are special; when he moves his feet he is an elite player.” Not just an elite college hockey player – elite player.

Next question: Can Butcher make the Devils’ opening-night roster? Absolutely. Only one New Jersey blue liner had more than 21 points (Damon Severson, who had 31 but also was a minus-31).

Butcher’s skating, hockey IQ and ability to take care of the puck alone should make him a strong contender for a group that didn’t have any defender close to a plus player. Add in his offensive traits, and it’s not hard to see him getting a regular shift and some power-play time. He played in the Devils’ preseason game Monday night, and the guess here is he plays in many more in the next week and change.

And what about other Pioneers alumni? We’ve got you covered. …

2017 DU alumni updates

Goaltender Evan Cowley signed a one-way American Hockey League contract with the Springfield (Mass.) Thunderbirds in June. The Thunderbirds are the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers, who drafted Cowley in the 2013 Entry Draft. If Cowley, who likely could have started for a majority of Division I programs the past few seasons, has a strong campaign, he might find himself in a good spot in the Panthers organization. Its NHL goalies – Roberto Luongo (39 in April) and James Reimer (30 in March) likely are not long-term answers. The Panthers’ pipeline isn’t teeming with high-end prospects at the moment.

Forward Evan Janssen signed an AHL contract with the Iowa Wild on Aug. 1. Ironically, he will join former Ohio State goalie Christian Frey (a junior teammate of his in Dubuque of the USHL) in camp. Janssen’s speed, hockey smarts and ability to fit in anywhere in a lineup as well as on special teams should make him a valuable commodity in Iowa.

Center Matt Marcinew was invited to the Los Angeles Kings’ rookie and training camps. He participated in the San Jose Sharks’ development camp earlier in the summer.  The versatile, skilled Marcinew should find a place to play, either in the AHL or in the East Coast Hockey League. His face-off, defensive and scoring acumen will be valued wherever he lands.

Forward Emil Romig signed an ECHL contract with Reading (Pa.), a Philadelphia Flyers affiliate. His speed, strength and knack for scoring clutch goals should work in his favor, particularly at this level.

Forward Evan Ritt is playing for Gap HC in France. He has appeared in two of the club’s first three games and has an assist.

Defenseman Matt VanVoorhis signed with Manglerud Star in Norway and is four games into his pro career, or “back to the grind” as he told me today.

2016 DU alumni updates

Forward Danton Heinen is well positioned to earn a spot with the Boston Bruins after his eight-game cameo with the NHL team last season. He put up 44 points (14 goals) in 64 games at Providence (AHL) before nine goals among his 18 points in 17 postseason games.

Forward Trevor Moore is back in camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs after putting up 33 points in 57 regular-season games in the AHL last season and adding four more points in 11 playoff games.

Defenseman Nolan Zajac was one of the highest-scoring defensemen in the ECHL a season ago, ringing up 54 points in 61 games at Toledo and another nine points in 16 playoff games. He had three separate AHL call-ups (Hershey, Manitoba and Iowa). The payoff is he signed an AHL deal with the Flyers’ top affiliate – Lehigh Valley.

Center Quentin Shore spent the 2016-17 season in the Kings’ organization. He played 13 games with Ontario (AHL) and 56 with Manchester (ECHL). His numbers with the latter were eye-catching – 43 points in 56 regular-season games and 15 in 19 playoff games.

Forward Grant Arnold retired after a solid season with Quad Cities of the ECHL. Read more about his next adventure here.

2015 updates

Defenseman Josiah Didier signed with the Carolina Hurricanes’ top affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. The former Montreal Canadiens draft choice (fourth round, 2011) spent his first two seasons of pro hockey with St. John’s (AHL).

Defenseman turned left wing Joey LaLeggia re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers, getting a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) deal. A 2012 fifth-round draft pick of the Oilers, LaLeggia hit the 20-goal mark for Bakersfield (AHL) last season.

Left wing and Arizona native Zac Larraza will enjoy a homecoming of sorts this season after signing a one-year AHL contract with Tucson, the top affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes. He split last season between San Diego (AHL, 9 points in 17 games) and Utah (ECHL, 16 points in 15 games).

Forward Ty Loney is in camp with the St. Louis Blues on a tryout basis. He spent team with the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Chicago last season as well in Albany (AHL) and Adirondack (ECHL), where he had 40 points in 36 games.

Daniel Doremus spent last season mainly with Manchester (ECHL), piling up 49 points in 56 games. He made a one-game cameo with Syracuse (AHL). I’m unsure of his status at the moment but am checking.

Other DU alumni in the pros

Forward Beau Bennett signed with the St. Louis Blues in the offseason after one year in New Jersey, where he put up a career-best 19 points and eight goals.

Center Tyler Bozak returns to the Toronto Maple Leafs for his eight season. He’s coming off a career best campaign – 55 points and 37 assists were NHL high-water marks for him as Toronto put itself back in the contender conversation. He’s at 513 NHL games and counting.

Goalie Sam Brittain split last season between Springfield (AHL) and Manchester (ECHL). He signed an AHL contract with the San Antonio Rampage on Aug. 21.

Center Joe Colborne is in camp with the Colorado Avalanche again this season, trying to bounce back from an eight-point season. A veteran of 295 NHL games, Colborne had 19 goals and 44 points the season before in Calgary.

Defenseman Matt Donovan is back with Frolunda HC of Sweden’s top league for a second season in a row. He had 15 points in 50 games a season ago.

Defenseman David Makowski split last season between Allen (ECHL) and Austria. He signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barraduda on July 19.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield is contending for a spot on the Islanders’ blue line after splitting time between the NHL and AHL the past two seasons. He had nine points in 25 NHL games in 2016-17.

Goalie Jussi Oikinoura is playing with JyP HT Jyvaskyia in Finland’s top league again this season.

Forward Rhett Rakhshani is back with Malmo in Sweden’s top league. The eight-year pro had 27 points in 41 games last season. He played seven NHL games with the Islanders from 2010-12.

Forward Luke Salazar won the Kelly Cup with the Colorado Eagles, piling up 77 points in 72 games and another eight in 20 playoff games.

Forward Nick Shore is back with the Kings for his fourth NHL season. His 17 points matched his total of his first two seasons, and his 70 games were a career high.

Brother Drew Shore, a center, is playing for Zurich SC of the Swiss-A League this season after playing 14 games with the Vancouver Canucks after playing 50 games in Switzerland to start last season. Six more games in the NHL and he will hit 100.

Defenseman Patrick Wiercioch spent last season with the Avalanche, registering 12 points, after four campaigns in Ottawa. He signed with Vancouver on the opening day of free agency this summer.

Forward Jason Zucker enters his sixth full pro season, fifth with the Minnesota Wild, after career bests in games (79), goals (22) and points (47). After speculation he was headed to the Vegas Golden Knights, it’s clear Zucker will play a key role for the Wild going forward.