“To go to the World Championships, lead it in scoring, play a major role I think was a major boost for him,” said Hynes, who coached Team USA, “particularly on that type of a team where there’s a lot of NHL All-Stars and high-end players.”
Now, Boldy showcases his skill but also strength, power and responsibility.
“Maturity,” Hynes said, and that poise is unmistakable when Boldy is under pressure.
“I always want to score,” said Boldy, 23. “The more games I’ve played, another season in the books last year, more games at Worlds, you just learn how to do it, I think. It’s so hard. Guys are so good. There’s no one on the ice in this league that doesn’t bring something to the table that they’re really good at.
“You just find different ways to do it. I think I’ve just learned alternative routes to scoring goals and where to be and when to call for pucks and win battles and stuff like that.”
In Boldy, the Wild have a willing participant when the game is in gut-check.
