Eric Boulton

Eric Boulton
Born	August 17, 1976 (1976-08-17) Halifax, NS, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	New Jersey Devils Buffalo Sabres Atlanta Thrashers
NHL Draft	234th overall, 1994 New York Rangers
Playing career	1996–present

Eric Boulton (born August 17, 1976) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the New Jersey Devils.

Playing career

Boulton's first career hat trick.

Boulton was drafted in the ninth round, 234th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Boulton recorded his first career hat trick on December 18, 2010, scoring 3 goals against the New Jersey Devils. He made his NHL debut playing for the Buffalo Sabres, where he played for four seasons. During the 2004 NHL Lockout, he played for the Columbia Inferno of the East Coast Hockey League. After the Lockout ended, Boulton landed in Atlanta. He was re-signed by Atlanta in 2008 to a two year deal, and then signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent with the New Jersey Devils to a 2 year contract for an undisclosed amount. Boulton joins former Atlanta Thrashers teammates Ilya Kovalchuk and Johan Hedberg in New Jersey.

2005 elbowing incident

In October 2005, Boulton was suspended for 6 games after he elbowed Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Paul Ranger causing a hairline fracture of the jaw and a concussion. The incident occurred at the end of a 6–0 rout of the Thrashers on October 20, 2005. NHL vice-president Colin Campbell said, "It is clear Mr. Boulton's actions were careless and caused injury. There is no circumstance that can justify this type of action." Only a week earlier Boulton had made a similar move in a game against Toronto, almost injuring Eric Lindros. Both Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella and Toronto coach Pat Quinn have made angry comments about Boulton's style of play. Tortorella said "no one wants to see him on the ice."

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1993–94	Oshawa Generals	OHL		45	4	3	7	149		5	0	0	0	16
1994–95	Oshawa Generals	OHL		27	7	5	12	125		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Sarnia Sting	OHL		24	3	7	10	134		4	0	1	1	10
1995–96	Sarnia Sting	OHL		66	14	29	43	243		9	0	3	3	29
1996–97	Charlotte Checkers	ECHL		44	14	11	25	325		3	0	1	1	6
1996–97	Binghamton Rangers	AHL		23	2	3	5	67		3	0	0	0	4
1997–98	Charlotte Checkers	ECHL		53	11	16	27	202		4	1	0	1	0
1997–98	Fort Wayne Komets	IHL		8	0	2	2	42		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Kentucky Thoroughblades	AHL		34	3	3	6	154		10	0	1	1	36
1998–99	Florida Everblades	ECHL		26	9	13	22	143		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Houston Aeros	IHL		7	1	0	1	41		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Rochester Americans	AHL		76	2	2	4	276		18	2	1	3	53
2000–01	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		35	1	2	3	94		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		35	2	3	5	129		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		58	1	5	6	178		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		44	1	2	3	110		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Columbia Inferno	ECHL		48	23	16	39	124		4	2	3	5	8
2005–06	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		51	4	5	9	87		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		45	3	4	7	49		4	0	0	0	24
2007–08	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		74	4	5	9	127		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		76	3	10	13	176		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		62	2	6	8	113		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		69	6	4	10	87		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				549	27	46	73	1150		4	0	0	0	24

External links

• Eric Boulton's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Eric Boulton's NHL player profile