Blake Bolden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blake Bolden |
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Blake Bolden with the Buffalo Beauts in 2018
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| Born | March 10, 1991 Euclid, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
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| Playing career | 2008–2019 | ||
Blake Alexis Bolden (born March 10, 1991) is an American former ice hockey player. She now works as a scout for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League (NHL).
On October 11, 2015, Blake made history. She became the first African-American player to play in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). This league is now called the Premier Hockey League (PHF). She won the 2015 Clarkson Cup with the Boston Blades. She also won the Isobel Cup in 2016 with the Boston Pride. Blake Bolden is also a reporter for ESPN.
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Early Life and Hockey Start
Blake grew up in Stow, Ohio. She started loving hockey by watching the Cleveland Lumberjacks. Her dad worked for the team. This let her meet many of the players.
She went to Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York. This school is famous for its great hockey programs. Blake was the team captain in her last year. She played alongside Kelley Steadman. After high school, she played for the Boston College Eagles women's ice hockey team from 2009 to 2013.
Playing Career Highlights
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  United States |
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| Women's ice hockey | ||
| World U18 Championship | ||
| Gold | 2008 Canada | |
| Gold | 2009 Germany | |
College Hockey (NCAA)
Blake Bolden played for the Boston College Eagles. In her first year (2009–10), she was a top defender. She scored four goals and had nine assists. Her first college point was a goal on October 3, 2009.
In 2010, she scored her first goal of the season against Brown. She also had two assists in that game. This was her best game for points at Boston College. In December 2010, she was invited to try out for the United States national women's ice hockey team.
Blake played in 102 games in her first three seasons. She scored 20 goals and had 33 assists. She was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2012. This award goes to the best female college hockey player. On August 21, 2012, Blake was chosen as the team captain for her senior year.
As a senior in 2012–13, she played in all 37 games. She had 29 points, with 6 goals and 23 assists. She became one of the top defensemen in Boston College history for points, goals, and assists. She was named Hockey East Defenseman of the Year. She also made the First Team Hockey East All-Star list.
Professional Hockey in Canada (CWHL)
Blake Bolden was drafted by the Boston Blades in 2013. She was the fifth player picked overall. She became the first woman of color to play professional hockey. Many people compare her to Jackie Robinson for breaking barriers in women's hockey.
She played in the first ever 1st Canadian Women's Hockey League All-Star Game in 2014. In March 2015, Blake helped the Boston Blades win the Clarkson Cup. This is a major championship in women's hockey.
Professional Hockey in the U.S. (NWHL)
The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) started in 2015. It was the first women's hockey league to pay players. On October 11, 2015, Blake joined the Boston Pride. She was the first woman of color to play in the NWHL.
On December 31, 2015, Blake played in a special outdoor game. It was against the Les Canadiennes de Montreal. This was the first professional outdoor women's hockey game. Blake scored Boston's only goal in that game. In 2016, she helped her team win the first-ever Isobel Cup. This is the NWHL's championship trophy.
Blake was chosen for the 2nd NWHL All-Star Game. She won the fastest shot contest with a shot of 87 miles per hour! In May 2017, Blake left the NWHL. She went to play for the HC Lugano women's team in Switzerland.
On August 15, 2018, Blake signed with the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts. She finished her playing career in May 2019.
Playing Overseas
During the 2017–18 season, Blake played in Switzerland for HC Lugano. She played 20 games. She was the top defender on her team with 27 points. She scored 16 goals and had 11 assists.
PWHPA Movement
In May 2019, Blake joined the #ForTheGame movement. This movement was part of the PWHPA. It aimed to create a better future for women's hockey. She played in the PWHPA's Dream Gap Tour.
After Playing Hockey
NHL Scout
In February 2020, Blake Bolden was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. She became a scout for the team. This was a huge step! She is the first woman of color to ever scout in professional men's hockey. She is also only the second woman ever to scout in the NHL.
Broadcasting
In April 2024, it was announced that Blake would join Amazon Prime Video. She provides analysis for Prime Monday Night Hockey. This show covers NHL games played in Canada. Her role includes talking about the games before, during, and after they happen.
Awards and Honors
- 2011 Hockey East All-Tournament team
- 2015 CWHL All-Star Game
- 1st NWHL All-Star Game (2016)
- 2nd NWHL All-Star Game (2017) Hardest Shot Winner 87 mph
- 3rd NWHL All-Star Game (2019) Hardest Shot Winner 80 mph
- Clarkson Cup: 2015
- Isobel Cup: 2016
- NWHL Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
