Butler, 20, has spent the past five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, where he has registered 71 goals and 77 assists for 148 points with 289 penalty minutes, 22 power play goals and 529 shots in 253 games with the Oshawa Generals, Niagara IceDogs and Peterborough Petes. In 59 games with Oshawa this season, he has set career highs in goals, points and penalty minutes with 24-25-49, 111 PIM, 132 shots and three game-winning goals. He leads the club and ranks second in the OHL in penalty minutes, ranks third-T on the club in goals and power play goals (six) and is fourth-T in points in 2022-23.
"Cameron is a physical forward with size, strength, toughness and tremendous character and leadership," said Kekalainen. "He is a hard-working, competitive player and we are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family."
The 6-4, 212-pound Ottawa, Ontario native made his OHL debut with Peterborough in 2018-19, collecting 18-8-26 and 55 PIM in 64 outings and earning the club's Rookie of the Year Award. He joined the IceDogs during the 2019-20 campaign and served as the team's captain in 2021-22 before joining the Generals midway through that season.
