Bolton a new addition for Flames

Photo: Our Sports Central

The Guildford Flames have made their second new addition of the off-season with the signing of defenseman Jake Bolton.

The 6"2' American spent last season with Bodens IHF in the third teir of hockey in Sweden, playing 32 games and ending 6+14 wit h108 penalty minutes. He ended 2019/20 in Narvik (Norway) with 1+10 in 21 games after heading to Europe following four and a half years in the ECHL. 

The 29-year-old came through college hockey, playing for the College of the Holy Cross in the NCAA for four seasons.

“We actually heard about Jake through Kevin Lindskoug,” explained Flames Head Coach Paul Dixon. “They played together last year in Sweden and Kevin didn’t just mention him but very much encouraged us to bring him in.

“When a goaltender has high praise for a defenceman and wants to put that guy in front of him night in and night out, it is hard to ignore. Having seen a great deal of video on Jake he is a very solid presence, but also moves and handles the puck in a way you might not expect from a bigger guy. He doesn’t just sit back and play strictly defensively. He gets up in the play and in seasons where he has been given the opportunity he has helped out in both ends of the rink.

"In speaking with him you can feel that he really wants to come here and do what he can to make us a better and we are thrilled to have locked him up for the coming season.”