The Glasgow Clan have announced the acquisition of defenceman Jake Bolton, who becomes the latest player to join the club since Stephen Dixon was unveiled as interim head coach.
The 30-year-old, who started the season without a contract, returns to the Elite League after spending last season with the Guildford Flames.
Bolton notched 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 53 appearances for Paul Dixon’s side, playing an integral role in Guildford’s deep run in the playoffs.
The American first appeared in Europe in 2019-20, recording 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in a half-season run with Narvik Hockey in Norway’s Fjordkraft-Ligaen. He switched to the Swedish third division for the following season, where he produced 20n points (six goals, 14 assists) in 32 appearances for Bosdens HF.
Bolton made 199 professional appearances in the ECHL before leaving North America, building on his four seasons of experience in the NCAA.
“We’re happy to have Jake join our team,” said Dixon of his newest recruit. “He’s a player who will help us on both ends of the ice and gives us experience. He had a great year in Guildford last year so knows the league and what to expect, which will help us.
“Jake has already practiced with the team and you could tell his leadership already as he was vocal and communicated well and we’re pleased to have him with us.”
Jake Bolton ‘delighted’ for Elite League return with the Clan
Bolton, who wore an ‘A’ in his time with the Flames, arrives in Glasgow at an important point in the season. The Clan have finally snapped their franchise-record run of defeats and have started to look up the table for the first time this term.
The Connecticut-born defender is excited to be back in the Elite League and keen to reconnect with teammates who he has previously crossed paths with.
“I’m delighted to join Glasgow Clan and I already know some faces in the team, playing with John Dunbar, Jordan Cownie and Nolan LaPorte previously,” he said.
“It seems like a really good club who are headed in the right direction and I want to come in and help them do that. Whenever I visited Braehead Arena last year with Guildford, it was always a tough night so I’m looking forward to being on the right side of their support and I can’t wait to get started.”
Bolton’s career in North America spanned five seasons of professional hockey, which he spent playing on the EHCL’s Wichita Thunder, Quad City Mallards, and Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
The left-handed defenceman notched 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists) and 11 penalty minutes in 199 appearances, earning his stripes as a responsible, two-way influence from the blueline.
Bolton showed that he knows how to put his 6-foot-2 frame to effective use last season, deploying his body and stick to make important defensive plays for the Flames.
He is a quality addition for the rebounding Clan.
