Ivan Boldirev was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 14 seasons. He was born on August 15, 1949, in Zrenjanin, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Boldirev started his hockey career in Canada, playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League. He was then drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft.
Boldirev played for the Bruins for two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. He played for the Flyers for one season before being traded again, this time to the Chicago Blackhawks. Boldirev played for the Blackhawks for six seasons and was a key player on the team. He was known for his speed and his ability to score goals.
In 1979, Boldirev was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He played for the Canucks for four seasons and was a fan favorite. He was known for his hard work and his leadership on the ice. Boldirev was also a skilled playmaker and was able to set up his teammates for goals.
After his time with the Canucks, Boldirev played for the Detroit Red Wings for two seasons before retiring from the NHL in 1985. He finished his NHL career with 1,089 games played, 361 goals, and 535 assists.
After retiring from the NHL, Boldirev became a coach. He coached in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL). He also coached in Europe, including in Germany and Switzerland.
Boldirev was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. He was also inducted into the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame in 2015. Boldirev is remembered as a skilled and hardworking player who was a key part of several NHL teams.
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