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Hugh Bolton
Hugh's big NHL break came after the tragic death of Bill Barilko. Hugh had appeared in 13 games in the previous two seasons with the Leafs, but was a full time Leaf come the 1951-52 season. Hugh had an agreement with the Leafs that he would play part time as he slowly continued his studying of engineering at the University of Toronto at the same time. It is believed he put his studies aside in 1951-52 but that's why he appeared in only 13 games the previous two years.
Hugh returned to part time play the following two seasons though not entirely due to his studies. He was a very injury prone player, breaking his leg/ankle three times, his right arm three times, fracturing his skull and smashing his sinus cavity. He once took a Boom Boom Geoffrion shot to the face, cracking his jaw.
He was as rugged as he was tough, using his big size to unceremoniously welcome opposing skaters to the Leafs defensive zone. The noted shot blocker and poke checker was particularly good in 1955 when he finished 5th in Norris Trophy voting as the league's best defenseman.
Bolton played from 1954 through 1956 relatively injury free but early in 1956-57 he broke his leg yet again. He retired in 1957, tired of battling injuries and still looking to complete his University degree.
4 comments:
He turned into a great high school physics teacher during the late 1960's and 1970's. He also coached our high school football and hockey teams at Scarlett Heights Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke. He was a great coach and teacher. I have fond memories of those days.
Hugh was my physics teacher at Scarlett Heights. I can still remember him telling the class that we ought buy our vegetables at higher elevations because their weight was less, although the mass was the same, due to the weaker gravitational force. Classic Hugh. He was a gentleman.
Hugh Bolton was a great man. He was my coach in peewee baseball and bantam. The first year we won every game in the season and lost in the playoffs. Second year we only lost one game during the season and won every game in the playoffs. Hugh was an awesome coach and he really new how to make everyone feel special. When we had a practice at kingsway baseball diamond he would drive several of us home afterwards even if we had a bicycle. He would just throw it in his trunk. Very fond memories of Hugh. They don't make them like that anymore.
Mike Jossa
This was truly the most person I got the joy of meeting... My parents rented a cottage off of him and his family. He would always make time to toss a ball or come fish with us... I always knew he was in the NHL but never bothered him about it. He was like a third grandfather to any child who stayed at his cottages... Dearly missed
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