Ivan Boldirev facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ivan Boldirev |
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Boldirev with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1974
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| Born | August 15, 1949 Zrenjanin, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins California Golden Seals Chicago Black Hawks Atlanta Flames Vancouver Canucks Detroit Red Wings |
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| NHL Draft | 11th overall, 1969 Boston Bruins |
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| Playing career | 1969–1985 | ||
Ivan Boldirev (born August 15, 1949) is a former professional ice hockey player. He was born in Yugoslavia and later became a Canadian citizen. Boldirev played for 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played over 1,000 games from 1970 to 1985. He was known as one of the best stickhandlers in the sport. In 1982, he played in the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals with the Vancouver Canucks.
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Early Life and Junior Hockey
Ivan Boldirev was born in Zrenjanin, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time. When he was two years old, his family moved to Canada. He grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Starting in Junior Hockey
Ivan began playing junior hockey as a young boy. He first joined his hometown team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Later, in 1967, he moved to play for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey Association. He played two great seasons with the Generals.
Getting Drafted by the NHL
Because of his strong performance, Ivan Boldirev was chosen early in the 1969 NHL amateur draft. The Boston Bruins picked him as their first choice, 11th overall. This was a big step towards his professional career.
Playing in the NHL
Boldirev became a professional player in 1969. He spent his first full season playing for the Boston Bruins' minor league team in Oklahoma City.
A Unique Stanley Cup Moment
In 1970, Boldirev was called up to the Boston Bruins as a backup player for the NHL playoffs. Even though he didn't play in any games, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. In a very rare event, his name was still engraved on the Stanley Cup! He was the only forward or defenseman to have his name on the Cup before playing his first NHL game. After that season, the NHL changed its rules. Players now have to play in a playoff game to get their name on the Cup.
Finding His Place in the League
The Boston Bruins were a very strong team at that time. It was hard for young players like Boldirev to get a regular spot. In 1971, he was traded to the California Golden Seals. This trade gave him the chance he needed to play more. With the Seals, he became a solid NHL player. By the 1973–74 season, he was one of the team's top scorers.
Success with the Chicago Black Hawks
In 1974, Boldirev was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks. This is where he had the most successful part of his career. He quickly became one of the team's best players. He scored over 60 points in each of his five seasons in Chicago. By the late 1970s, he was the team's main offensive player. He led the Black Hawks in goals, assists, and points in 1976–77 and 1977–78. He was also chosen to play in the 1978 NHL All-Star Game.
Moving to Other Teams
In 1979, Boldirev was traded to the Atlanta Flames. He played well there, but his time in Atlanta was short. Less than a year later, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. In both of these trades, his teammate Darcy Rota also moved with him. They played together for almost ten years on three different teams.
Stanley Cup Finals Run
After joining the Canucks, Boldirev scored many goals. He continued to be a consistent and productive player in Vancouver. Fans loved watching his smooth and skillful stickhandling. He was a key player in Vancouver's exciting run to the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals. He scored eight goals in 17 playoff games that year.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1983, Boldirev was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Many thought his career was slowing down, but he had a great comeback in Detroit. He scored many points in his first games with the Wings. In the 1983–84 season, he had his best year ever, scoring 35 goals and 83 points. He played alongside young star Steve Yzerman. They helped Detroit reach the playoffs for the first time in years.
In 1985, Boldirev played his 1,000th NHL game and got his 500th assist. He retired at the end of that season. He finished his career with 361 goals and 505 assists, totaling 866 points in 1,052 NHL games. Today, he sometimes works with the Blackhawk Alumni Association.
Career Statistics Summary
Ivan Boldirev played a total of 1,052 NHL games. He scored 361 goals and made 505 assists, for a total of 866 points. In the playoffs, he played 48 games, scoring 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points.
Awards and Accomplishments
- Played in the NHL All-Star game in 1978
- Named to the OHL Second All-Star Team in 1969
See also
- List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
