The following is a recent article by Kevin Allenspach of the St. Cloud Times, highlighting the ministry of Hockey Ministries International staff member Bill Butters to the St.Cloud Huskies Hockey Team.

The coffee in Bill Butters' hands is warm as he watches the St. Cloud State men's hockey team practice.

Retired professional hockey player Bill Butters watches St. Cloud State hockey practice. Butters, a defenseman who registered more than 100 fights in his career, later became a chaplain with Hockey Ministries International. He meets with the Huskies and many other college and professional teams throughout the Midwest to discuss the Bible and how it relates to the game and the life of a player. (Mike Knaak, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Separated by Plexiglas and a generational gap, he watches a familiar scene. Players swoop and spin, occasionally crashing into one another with a shout, or blasting a slap shot that explodes in the empty arena at the National Hockey Center.

"It's a violent game," Butters said.

He should know. Butters, 58, played at the University of Minnesota in the early 1970s, then went on to a pro career that included 100 fights and more than 240 stitches in his face.

Thirty years after he last appeared as a defenseman with the Minnesota North Stars, he's still around the rinks — only now it's with a Bible under his arm. Its black cover carries the logo of a skate with a cross on the heel.

Butters is a chaplain for Hockey Ministries International, and he visits St. Cloud State about twice a month to meet with a group of Huskies who seek harmony between hitting and their own humanity.

It is at this time of year that all of us at Hockey Ministries International reflect back on what the Lord did through the ministry in 2009.

Nearly 1900 boys and girls ages 9-16 attended HMI's 33 weeks of Christian Hockey Camps International youth camps this past summer. The past year also saw 1700 professional and amateur hockey players from 27 leagues all across North America attend HMI chapels. Another highlight of 2009 was the staging of HMI's annual "All Star Breakfast" which was held in hockey's mecca, the city of Montreal. An overflow crowd of 1,000 hockey fans jammed the grand ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel to hear the testimonies of National Hockey Player, Shane Doan, former NHL defenseman, Bill Butters, and Marlene Geoffrion, the wife of former Montreal Canadiens great "Boom Boom" Geoffrion.

Former Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota North Stars' great Bobby Smith at HMI's 2009 All-Star Breakfast last January in Montreal.		Former NHL defenseman, Glen Wesley, (in refs jersey) leads the HMI Raleigh, NC campers in prayer.

We want to be the first to emphatically state that we can take no credit for the blessings of this past year. It is truly God that made it all happen! This is also a wonderful time to thank our fabulous group of HMI volunteers worldwide, who give of their time and talents to allow the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to be shared in hockey locker rooms in seven different countries around the globe. From our camp committee volunteers, to our nearly 250 faithful volunteer chaplains, to the "All Star Breakfast" volunteer committee, and to others who help out at many other HMI projects, we thank you so much for your service to the Lord and to HMI.

Former Minnesota North Stars' defenseman and HMI staff member Bill Butters with members of the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers after speaking at a November 19 chapel.		HMI staff members (L-R) Don Liesemer Jr., Doug Halcomb, Rick Mitera, and Worcester Sharks chaplain, Doug Geeze, at the 2009 AHL All-Star Game "Hall of Fame" luncheon.

FInally, it is our privilege to share to the hockey world, the greatest gift the world has ever known, the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will experience the true joy of Christmas this year, that only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) On behalf of Hockey Ministries International Presdient, Don Liesemer, Sr. and our entire HMI staff, have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!  

Hockey Ministries International was pleased to stage a "Faith Night" promotion with the Ontario Hockey League's Belleville Bulls on October 7 at the Yardmen Arena in Belleville, Ontario. After a hard-fought and exciting 3-2 overtime win by the Bulls over the Ottawa 67's, former National Hockey League ironman, Laurie Boschman, shared his journey of hockey as well as his faith journey with Jesus Christ to an attentive post-game audience of 200 Belleville fans. 

The 2009-2010 professional and amateur hockey season is now in full swing, and with that, the Hockey Ministries International chapel outreach. For the past month and a half, HMi's faithful group of chaplains have been taking Biblical truth and the Gospel message into the locker rooms of hundreds of professional and amateur athletes all across North America.