The Ottawa Senators are undoubtedly aware that it’s possible to find quality NHL players among the graduating class in U.S. college hockey. Current Senators Ryan Shannon, Andy Sutton and Jesse Winchester all signed as undrafted free agents after four years of college hockey, as did former Senator and Kanata native Todd White.

It is with visions of that kind of success that the Senators signed 22-year-old winger Bobby Butler from the University of New Hampshire earlier this week. Butler skated with the Senators for their morning skate prior to last night’s game in Washington but wasn’t expected to be in the lineup. He could, however, see his first NHL action tomorrow night when the Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes.

But before anyone gets too excited about the prospects of Butler becoming a star, it would be wise to note that the number of college free agents who turn out to be regular NHL players is dwarfed by the players who never make a mark. When it comes to college free agents, some teams have the philosophy that you sign as many as you can and hope one turns out.

But there certainly are exceptions to the rule. Martin St. Louis is the poster child for college free agents. He played four years at the University of Vermont before signing as a free agent with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the defunct International Hockey League in 1997-98. From there, he signed an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames and bounced around the minors for a couple of seasons before establishing himself with the Tampa Bay Lightning at the age of 25. It should be noted that the Flames put St. Louis on waivers not once, but twice, and had no takers.

Current NHL players such as Dan Boyle, Andy McDonald, Rene Bourque, John Madden and Chris Kunitz also slugged it out for four years in college before making it as late bloomers to the NHL, so it certainly can be done.

If Butler turns out to follow in their path, the Senators will be the beneficiaries and stand to reap the benefits for years. If not, there is little risk on the Senators part, since he is signed only through the rest of this season and next before becoming an unrestricted free agent.