Veteran defenseman Chris Butryn has committed to College Hockey next year! The native of Ramsey, New Jersey and ’96 birth year is heading to Castleton University, a Division III school in Vermont.  Butryn has been with the JRFlyers for three seasons. He is one of the longest tenured JRFlyers on the roster and this year, he was chosen as an Assistant Captain. Butryn overcame an injury in his first season and since returning he has been a main part of the JRFlyers defense and contributes immensely to the success of the team every time he hits the ice.

He’s a leader on and off the ice and has enjoyed his time here with the team. “It’s been a crazy three years here. I was injured my first year and it was rough to deal with. After that I've had a lot of fun and I have definitely grown as a hockey player and as a person. Coach Domish and Coach Jason (Kilcoyne) taught me a lot and, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for them. I learned about doing your job as a member of the team. Whether you're a goal scorer or a grinder it doesn’t matter, everyone has a job to do and you have to do it well for the team. Overall you have to go out there and play every shift and every game to the best of your ability, that’s one of the biggest things I learned in my time here with the team.”

Castleton is the future for Butyrn, after a great and successful career with the JRFlyers he's ready to move forward. While playing at Castleton he intends to major in Exercise Science, but also has a goal for hockey as well. “It’s kind of hard to going into college as a freshman because you go from being at the top just to be thrown back to the bottom and start over again. I want to be able to help the team out any way I can. Obviously, you want to win championships, but I want to have fun at college and be part of winning games.”

Castleton is the next stop for Butryn but he still praises everyone who has helped him along the way. “I’d like to thank my parents because they’ve done everything for me and helped me be in this position to go to college and play college hockey. I want to thank Coach Domish and Coach Jason (Kilcoyne), without them I wouldn’t be here, and thanks to all my teammates for making my three years here filled with great memories I won’t forget.”

Not too often do you have a player on your roster for three seasons, but Butryn is one of the few that is in that situation. A lot of games, practices and hard work have gone into his career with the JRFlyers, but that isn't the only thing he says he’ll miss. “Coming back from a long road trip and everyone is hanging out on the bus, and we’re relaxing having fun and not thinking about hockey, that is something that I think I’ll miss the most.”

Coach Domish has seen Butyrn grow with the team and is happy to see him take the next step. “When you have a kid on the team for three years they're always kind of special because they've been here a long time and you grow fond of them, and you see them grow each year. He has grown immensely after his injury in the first season with us. I'm thrilled for him and he comes from a great family so I hope everything works out for him. He is a stay at home defenseman and if he plays in his game he’s as good as they come, he will be a great steady defenseman at DIII.”

Congratulations Chris on your junior hockey career. The JRFlyers are grateful for your hard work and dedication over the past three seasons. You are a true JRFlyer, and thank you for representing the organization to the best of your ability. We wish you all the best as you continue your hockey journey. Thank you for being a member of the JRFlyers family now and forever.

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer