New GM for Norfolk

The Helena Independent Record is reporting Mike Butters, part-owner of the Helena Bighorns Junior A Tier III hockey team, will be introduced as the AHL Norfolk Admirals' new general manager.

The Bighorns are also owned by Oren Koules, who runs OK Hockey - owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The newspaper describes Butters as "energetic and often boisterous," which would seem to fall in line with the rest of the new Lightning organizational ownership, which includes real estate magnate and former NHLer Len Barrie.

Butters, a 42 year-old Manitoba native, is also a former hockey player, last playing in the AHL in 1992.

Butters told the newspaper he will "be working more with the coaches, doing some advanced scouting and working on player trades and signing players.”

New Admirals head coach Darren Rumble interviewed with Butters recently before being named coach (the announcement of which will come today).

Butters has one year of GM experience - with a team in the now-defunct West Coast Hockey League, reported The Independent.

According to helanabighorns.com, Butters' life took a different direction after his playing career. Butters left hockey to pursue a career in the film business, where he has appeared in over 90 television commercials, 35 films and numerous guest spots on network television shows like ABC’s “Once & Again” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” During this time, Butters also played professional roller hockey in the RHI and Pro Beach Hockey. He captained Team Canada in roller hockey for two years, playing alongside current Detroit Red Wings goaltender, Manny Legace.

It was in the film business, where he met Oren Koules. The two teamed up to put a junior hockey team in Helena, Montana. “Having the opportunity to return to junior A hockey has been an experience of a lifetime,” explains Butters. “In Helena, we want to develop these young men to the best of our abilities. Preparing these young men for college and the rest of their hockey lives is our priority … we love it!”

There are no reports of what role current Ads GM Claude Loiselle will take on after this move. More information is expected at today's Norfolk press conference.

For more on the story, see The Independent.