The Glasgow Clan have confirmed the departure of 30-year-old defenceman Jake Bolton.
The American, who skated for the Guildford Flames last season, returned to the Elite League as an injury reserve replacement for Shawn Boutin earlier this month and departs for the United States on schedule.
Bolton, formerly of the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators, made eight appearances for the Clan, in which he scored twice and recorded 16 penalty minutes.
“Jake brought a ton of energy to the team on and off the ice since he first arrived,” explained Clan associate coach Dyson Stevenson.
“He was certainly a big part of getting our team, that was really struggling, on the right path and heading in the right direction with three wins in a row. We knew before his arrival that this could possibly be a short-term signing due to his work commitments.
“We did everything we could to keep Jake for the remainder of the season, but we have to respect his decision that family and work came before hockey.”
Analysis: Jake Bolton elects for Glasgow Clan exit
Jake Bolton ultimately decided that now was the best time for him to end his spell with the Clan.
Although the 30-year-old joined Glasgow on a short-term deal, decision-makers at Braehead Arena were keen to keep him around for the rest of the season. But it just wasn’t to be – for family- and work-related reasons.
Regardless, Bolton deserves credit for his role in the Clan’s recent turnaround.
He arrived in Glasgow at the start of November and appeared in four consecutive defeats before he secured his first win in purple – a 4-1 victory over the Coventry Blaze.
In his final three appearances for the club, he helped the Clan add four more points to their tally – which could prove decisive when the playoff places are decided at the business end of the season.
While the Connecticut-born defenceman’s stay in Glasgow was brief, he leaves with the Clan in better shape than he found them in.
By all accounts, Bolton’s short-term deal was a major success.
