Blake Bolden
Blake Bolden is an American former professional ice hockey player, broadcaster, and scout.
Blake Bolden is an American former professional ice hockey player, broadcaster, and scout. She became the first Black woman to play in the National Women’s Hockey League and later worked for the Los Angeles Kings as a pro scout and growth and inclusion specialist. She also appears as a contributor and analyst in hockey coverage for ESPN.
Early life and education
Bolden grew up in Stow, Ohio, and played youth hockey before moving on to Boston College. At Boston College, she played defence and became one of the program’s notable scoring blueliners.
Professional playing career
Bolden played professionally in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the National Women’s Hockey League. Her career included championship wins with the Boston Blades and Boston Pride, along with several league honours and all-star selections.
Historic milestones
Bolden is widely noted for breaking barriers as the first Black woman to play in the NWHL and among the first Black women to be drafted in the CWHL. Sources also describe her as the first Black female pro scout in NHL history.
Broadcasting and front-office work
After her playing career, Bolden moved into scouting and media work. She joined the Los Angeles Kings in a diversity-and-development role and became a contributor to ESPN’s hockey coverage.
Key facts
- Played collegiate hockey at Boston College and ranked among the program’s top scoring defensemen.
- Became the first Black woman to play in the National Women’s Hockey League in 2015.
- Won the Clarkson Cup with the Boston Blades in 2015 and the Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride in 2016.
- Joined the Los Angeles Kings in 2020 as a pro scout and growth and inclusion specialist, becoming the first Black female pro scout in NHL history.
- Works as a hockey reporter and analyst for ESPN and other broadcasters.
Bolden’s career includes major Canadian hockey connections through the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, where she was drafted by the Boston Blades and won the Clarkson Cup. Her playing career and barrier-breaking milestones are part of women’s hockey history relevant to Canadian readers.[1][5][6]
Frequently asked questions
Who is Blake Bolden?
What is Blake Bolden known for?
Which teams did Blake Bolden play for?
Did Blake Bolden win championships?
What does Blake Bolden do now?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_BoldenSupports: Birth date, professional roles, first Black woman in the NWHL, Clarkson Cup and Isobel Cup wins
- Boston College Magazine — https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/sites/bc-magazine/winter-2021/linden-lane/hockey-for-all.htmlSupports: Boston College background, first Black woman in the NWHL, Kings role, mentoring and inclusion work
- Blue Sky — https://www.blueskyse.com/talent/blake-boldenSupports: Career milestones, CWHL draft history, NWHL debut, Kings scout role, ESPN reporting
- ESPN Press Room — https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/blake-bolden/Supports: ESPN reporter and analyst role, Kings scout and inclusion specialist role, mentorship initiative
- Blake Bolden official website — https://www.blakebolden.com/about-meSupports: Stow, Ohio background, youth hockey, teams, championships, and scouting role
- NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/five-questions-with-blake-bolden-316227042Supports: Boston College scoring record among defensemen, first Black woman selected in first round of CWHL draft, Kings scout role
- Los Angeles Kings / NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/womens-history-month-q-and-a-with-blake-boldenSupports: First Black player in the NWHL, second woman to scout in the NHL, broadcasting with the Kings and Prime Video
- Boston College Eagles — https://bceagles.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/blake-bolden/7445Supports: Boston College roster affiliation and position