Belfast Telegraph Sport understands that Butcher’s departure is not in relation to the weekend's disastrous double-header defeat against the Manchester Storm and that the forward had already signalled his intention to leave the club last week.
While the Giants are currently active in the market to try and find additional help for the roster as they look to defend their Elite League title, it is believed that Hook is Butcher’s direct replacement and that any future arrivals will likely be at the expense of other players.