SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced today that the club has acquired forward Cameron Butler from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Brendan Gaunce.
Butler, 23 (born June 9, 2002), appeared in 37 games last season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, registering three points (2 goals, 1 assist), 74 penalty minutes, and 29 shots on goal. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound winger from Ottawa, Ontario, brings size, physicality, and a gritty edge to the Wild’s forward depth. Over three AHL seasons with Cleveland (2022–25), Butler has totaled 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists), 145 PIM, and 74 shots in 91 games. He made his NHL debut on March 30, 2024, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Prior to turning pro, Butler played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), compiling 154 points (74 goals, 80 assists), 297 PIM, and 543 shots in 257 games with the Peterborough Petes, Niagara IceDogs, and Oshawa Generals. He served as captain of Niagara during the 2021–22 season and added five points in nine playoff games with Oshawa. Butler signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Columbus on March 16, 2023.
Going the other way, Brendan Gaunce, 31, appeared in 12 games with Minnesota last season, recording one assist and 11 shots. He also posted 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists), 20 PIM, and five power-play goals in 39 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
