By: Brent Smyth
Drew Bolland needed to use the washroom. He thought he had the time. And it almost cost him missing his son’s proudest moment.
“I heard them saying ‘Chicago Blackhawks’ and [that] they were picking in the second round. So, I ran back to the seats to hear him get drafted to the Blackhawks.”
His son, Dave Bolland, was projected as a first-round draft pick after playing four seasons for the OHL’s London Knights.
Dave was drafted 8th overall by the London Knights, meaning he had to relocate from Etobicoke to London, Ontario.
“It was tough on my wife and myself because we’ve always had a close family with the six of us and four boys. He took it no problem,” Drew said.
Although only 2 hours apart, Drew says he was still was able to see Dave every weekend in London.
“I would go down Friday afternoons after work because home games were Friday and we’d normally stay until Sunday. After the games, we’d go out with him.”
Being drafted to the OHL is a major accomplishment, but Drew admits he only realistically saw his son as a potential NHL player in his final OHL season.
Drew also said Dave took it more seriously in his final season. “The one thing he needed to do [was] put on some weight. He was always one of the top goal scorers, but he’s always been a skinny runt. A lot of people were telling him to put the weight on before he started playing. His problem was he had a really high metabolism so everything he ate was just getting burned off.”
The improvement in scoring production and weight equalled him being touted as a first-round draft pick, the Bolland family celebrated.
When the NHL draft finally came around, Dave’s whole family was present.
“Obviously the whole family was there, aunts and uncles, cousins.”
However, due to an NHL lockout the year prior, there was a surge of European players taken in the first-round due to signing rights and availabilities.
“He didn’t get picked in the first round, and we started thinking, ‘Oh God, we made a mistake and maybe he’s not as good as we thought he was.’”
But that’s when history took its course and Drew returned from the washroom just in time to see his son walk across the stage.
“A friend of mine instantly ran and got 10 Blackhawks hats for all of us and then after we made David take pictures with the Blackhawks jersey on.”
Within a few years, David became a key player in the Blackhawks’ two Stanley Cup runs, even scoring the Cup-winning goal in 2013.
“My wife and I and our son Brandon were at the game and we actually got to stand on the ice and celebrating, getting photos taken and meeting with the other players. I mean, to think your son just won the Stanley Cup was just unreal.”
Bolland was traded to the Leafs that off-season, something no one had seen coming.
“We just said we’re happy [about the trade], but we’re shocked. For David, he was excited. He got to play for the team he watched as a kid. After the first few games, and experiencing the atmosphere in Toronto, it was a dream come true for the whole family. “
Dave Bolland’s career took a turn for the worst in December 2015, after Bolland suffered multiple ankle and back injuries. Doctors have said it is unlikely that he will ever play again.
“It was sad to see that the chances of his ankle ever being strong enough to play in the NHL are limited. He still does the training and exercises but he’s not allowed to skate. Mentally, it’s affecting him. He’d rather be playing than sitting on the sidelines. It’s tough for him and the family.”
Dave being out has also affected Drew’s ability to enjoy the game.
“I still believe if David had never been injured he’d still be with Leafs and he’d have been a huge asset for that team. It’s really hard for me to watch the Leafs or the Blackhawks without seeing him up there with them.”
Dave Bolland still remains one of the few players to win a World Junior Gold, Memorial Cup and a Stanley Cup.
And Drew says no matter what and with everything, he will never not be proud.
AUDIO: Drew Bolland discusses how proud he is of his son Dave, and how his community sees him.
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