Mike J. Boland

Mike J. Boland (not to be confused with Mike Anthony Boland who played 2 games with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1974-75) was an aggressive defensemen who persevered through years of riding busses in the minor leagues for a brief appearances with the Kansas City Scouts in 1974-75 and Buffalo Sabres in 1978-79.

Born in London, Ontario, Mike briefly played for the junior-A London Knights before spending most of his Ontario junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Boland's 16 goals and 71 points with 343 penalty minutes in his career in junior hockey didn't impress too many NHL scouts, however. He wasn't drafted until the lowly Kansas City Scouts selected him 110th overall in the 1974 entry draft.

Although he made his NHL debut in his rookie professional season of 1974-75, Mike was buried in the minor leagues until he was released as an unrestricted free agent in 1978.

The Buffalo Sabres were looking for a little depth and toughness for their minor league team in Hershey for the 1978-79 season, and offered Mike a minor league contract after he impressed the Sabres brass at training camp. The Sabres would later sign him to an NHL contract as their NHL defensive corps were decimated by injuries. Mike got a call-up and enjoyed his finest moments as a professional. He finished the season as an NHLer - participating in 22 regular season games. He was able to chip in one goal and 2 assists. He also played in all 3 of the Sabres playoff contests, and again chipped in with another goal.

The Sabres regained their depth by the beginning of the 1979-80 season as everyone became healthy. In addition Jon Van Boxmeer was brought in and youngsters Larry Playfair and Lindy Ruff were given NHL jobs. Thus Mike found himself again buried in the minor league system.

Mike, who is former Sabres’ star Don Luce's brother in law, never was able to make it back to the NHL. But he continued to apply his steady and aggressive trade in various minor league cities until 1984.