Garth Butcher is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 8, 1963, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Butcher began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats in 1979. He played for the Pats for three seasons before being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.
Butcher made his NHL debut with the Canucks in the 1981-82 season and played for the team for six seasons. He was known for his physical play and was a key member of the Canucks' defense during his time with the team. In 1986, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues, where he played for three seasons. He then played for the Quebec Nordiques for two seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1991.
Butcher played for the Maple Leafs for one season before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1992. He played for the Ducks for two seasons before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1994. Butcher played for the Red Wings for one season before retiring from professional hockey in 1995.
Throughout his NHL career, Butcher was known for his physical play and his ability to play a shutdown role on defense. He was a tough player who was not afraid to drop the gloves when necessary. He was also a solid defensive player who was able to shut down opposing forwards and limit their scoring chances.
Butcher played in a total of 897 NHL games over the course of his career, scoring 46 goals and 139 assists for a total of 185 points. He also accumulated 1,489 penalty minutes, which is a testament to his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates.
After retiring from professional hockey, Butcher remained involved in the sport as a coach and scout. He worked as an assistant coach for the WHL's Regina Pats from 1995 to 1997 and then worked as a scout for the Vancouver Canucks from 1997 to 2006. He currently works as a scout for the St. Louis Blues.
Overall, Garth Butcher had a successful NHL career and was known for his physical play and defensive abilities. He was a key member of several NHL teams and was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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