Hugh Bolton

Hugh Edward Bolton (born April 15, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario - died October 17, 1999, in Etobicoke, Ontario) was a former NHL defenceman.

Early life

Hugh Bolton was a standout first baseman in baseball, a strong passing quarterback at football and a hard hitting defenceman in hockey. He also had a life-long passion for learning, especially about things related to electricity. He started his post secondary training at Queen's University, but was enticed to join the Toronto Marlboros junior squad which, at the time, was coached by former Maple Leafs great Syl Apps.

Before the NHL

Bolton left Queen's with the promise of being paid $5,000 over time, which was exactly the amount he wanted to further finance his education. In 1950, while skating for the Marlie seniors, he helped the club win the Allan Cup under the direction of coach Joe Primeau.

NHL

From there, Bolton joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as one of the tallest players in the league at 6' 3".

He helped the Maple Leafs win the 1951 Stanley Cup Championship.

Over his seven-plus seasons with the club, he was also frequently beset by injuries and ailments. One year he developed mononucleosis, an illness that was not fully understood at the time. On another occasion, his jaw was cracked by a shot from the stick of Bernia "Boom Boom" Geoffrion.

But on September 24, 1956, his NHL career came to a sudden halt while killing a penalty in the Montreal Forum. His skates got stuck along the boards, causing an impact that broke his leg so severely that the bone split right up the middle. Bolton attempted a comeback in 1957–58 with the Rochester Americans, but was unable to sustain his former level of play. He packed it in for good after appearing in only 5 games.

Awards and achievements

*1950 Allan Cup Championship (Toronto)
*1951 Stanley Cup Championship (Toronto)
*1956 NHL All Star (Toronto)

External links

*hockeydb|463
* [http://www.hhof.com/html/exSCJ05_24.shtml Picture of Hugh Bolton's Name on the 1951 Stanley Cup Plaque]