Dave Bolland is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on June 5, 1986, in Mimico, Ontario, Canada. Bolland began his hockey career playing for the Toronto Red Wings in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). He then moved on to play for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he helped lead the team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2005.
Bolland was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2007 and quickly became known for his defensive skills and ability to play in clutch situations. Bolland played a key role in the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship run in 2010, scoring the game-winning goal in the final game of the series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
After six seasons with the Blackhawks, Bolland was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013. He played two seasons with the Maple Leafs before being traded to the Florida Panthers in 2014. Bolland's time with the Panthers was plagued by injuries, and he was eventually placed on long-term injured reserve in 2016 due to a back injury. He officially announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2018.
Throughout his career, Bolland was known for his tenacity and work ethic on the ice. He was a versatile player who could play both center and wing positions and was often used in defensive situations. Bolland was also known for his ability to score in clutch situations, with several game-winning goals throughout his career.
Off the ice, Bolland was known for his charitable work. He was involved with several organizations, including the Special Olympics and the Canadian Cancer Society. Bolland also started his own charity, Bolland's Buddies, which raised money for children's charities in the Toronto area.
Overall, Dave Bolland had a successful career in the NHL, with a Stanley Cup championship and over 400 games played. While injuries ultimately cut his career short, Bolland will be remembered for his defensive prowess and clutch performances on the ice, as well as his charitable work off the ice.
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