Brandon Bollig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brandon Bollig |
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Bollig with the Calgary Flames in December 2014
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| Born | January 31, 1987 St. Charles, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Chicago Blackhawks Calgary Flames |
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| NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2010–2018 | ||
Brandon D. Bollig (born January 31, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left wing. Even though he wasn't picked in the NHL Entry Draft, Bollig signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. This was after he played college hockey at St. Lawrence University. He first played in the NHL in 2012. He was part of the Chicago Blackhawks team that won the Stanley Cup in 2013. Later, the Calgary Flames got Bollig in a trade in 2014.
Becoming a Hockey Player
Early Years and High School Hockey
When Brandon Bollig was young, he played minor ice hockey. In 2001, he even played in the famous Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He played for the St. Louis Blues youth team.
Bollig played high school hockey for Francis Howell North High School. He graduated in 2005. During high school, he tried out for a junior hockey team, the St. Louis Jr. Blues. He didn't make the team at first. But he tried again the next year and joined them for the 2004–05 season.
Playing in Junior and College Leagues
After high school and one season with the Jr. Blues, Bollig moved up to the United States Hockey League (USHL). He joined the Lincoln Stars. He played three seasons with the Stars, from 2005 to 2008. He played in 173 games, scoring 37 goals and making 36 assists. He also spent a lot of time in the penalty box, showing his tough style of play.
After junior hockey, Bollig went to St. Lawrence University. He played two seasons of college hockey there. In his second year, he scored 25 points and led his team in penalty minutes.
Professional Hockey Career
Joining the Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks noticed Bollig's skills. They signed him to a professional contract in April 2010, after his second year of college. The Blackhawks sent him to their minor league team, the Rockford IceHogs, in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played his first professional game on April 6, 2010. A few nights later, he scored his first professional goal. He played most of the next two seasons with the IceHogs.
NHL Debut and Stanley Cup Win
Bollig was called up to the Chicago Blackhawks late in the 2011–12 season. He made his NHL debut on February 29, 2012. This was against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In that game, he also had his first fight. He played 18 games that season.
In the 2012 playoffs, Bollig scored his first NHL goal on April 14. This was a game-tying goal against the Phoenix Coyotes. The Blackhawks lost that series.
Bollig started the 2012–13 season back with the IceHogs because of an NHL player lockout. When the lockout ended in January 2013, he returned to Chicago. He played 25 games for the Blackhawks that season. He helped the team win the Presidents' Trophy for having the best regular season record.
In the 2013 playoffs, Bollig played in five games. He was part of the team's "fourth line." The Blackhawks went on to defeat the Boston Bruins in the Finals. They won the Stanley Cup! Bollig was the first player from the St. Louis area to win the Cup.
Expanding His Role with the Blackhawks
Bollig scored his first regular season NHL goal on October 1, 2013. This was in the Blackhawks' opening game of the 2013–14 season. He played in all 82 games that season. He scored seven goals and had seven assists, totaling 14 points. He also led the team in penalty minutes.
During this season, Bollig started to play a bigger role. He wasn't just an "enforcer" (a player known for fighting). He also became a strong defensive forward. In March 2014, Chicago signed him to a new three-year contract.
In the 2014 playoffs, Bollig was suspended for two games. This was for a hit he made against a Minnesota Wild player. After his suspension, he returned to play in the Western Conference Finals. The Blackhawks lost to the Los Angeles Kings in a tough seven-game series.
Moving to the Calgary Flames
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On June 28, 2014, Chicago traded Bollig to the Calgary Flames. This trade helped Chicago manage their team's salary cap. Bollig played 62 games for the Flames in the 2014–15 season. He scored one goal and had four assists. He also led the Flames in penalty minutes.
The Flames made the playoffs that year for the first time since 2009. Bollig played in all 11 playoff games. He scored two goals as the Flames won their first round series. They then lost in the second round.
In the 2015–16 season, Bollig played 54 games for the Flames. He scored two goals and had two assists. He again led the Flames in penalty minutes. This was the first time in his career that Bollig's team missed the playoffs.
Later Career and Retirement
On July 4, 2017, Bollig signed a contract with the San Jose Sharks. He was sent to play with their minor league team, the San Jose Barracuda. In February 2018, Bollig was traded to the Nashville Predators. He played for their minor league team, the Milwaukee Admirals.
After the 2018 season, Bollig became a free agent. He didn't sign with another team. On January 16, 2019, Brandon Bollig announced he was retiring from professional hockey. He played for eight years.
Personal Life
Brandon Bollig married Dannah Lakin on August 4, 2018, in Chicago.
When he was 12, Bollig was in a movie called Defiance (2002). He played a character named Will Cross. Another former hockey player, Tony Twist, was also in the movie.
Images for kids
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Bollig with the Rockford IceHogs in October 2011.
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Bollig with the Calgary Flames in March 2016
