Zack Bolduc got a handful of big welcomes to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night.
After hearing his name called by Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong in the first round of the NHL Draft, the 18-year-old forward then got a personal phone call from Armstrong. Then, buried amongst all the missed calls and texts from family and friends came a text from an unknown number. Turns out, it was David Perron, who lives about 90 minutes away from Bolduc’s hometown in Quebec.
“He just said welcome aboard. He’s just very happy for me,” Bolduc said of the text from Perron. “I don’t know him, but it will be an honor to meet him one day. I’m very happy. I’m excited to meet all the guys and all the staff… Really happy to be a member of the St. Louis Blues.”
The Blues selected Bolduc with the 17th overall pick on Friday. He was also ranked 17th amongst NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American skaters.
On the NHL Draft Class podcast, Jean-Francois Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting said Bolduc has the “whole package” – a great shot, good scoring and playmaking ability and he can play physical, too.
The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec native has spent the past two seasons with Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
In 2019-20, Bolduc was named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year when he led all rookies in goals (30) and ranked second amongst first-year players in points (52). Last season, he was slowed by injuries and the League’s COVID-19 stoppages, but still managed to net 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 27 games.
“I would describe myself as a guy who can play center or on the wing, a guy who can skate pretty well and has a great shot,” Bolduc said. “Also I can pass it. I’m creative with the puck, I like to create some plays. I can be physical, (play a) fast, skilled game. I can play any type of game. That’s me.”
Analysts during the broadcast of the first round of the NHL Draft on ESPN 2 compared Bolduc to Buffalo’s Sam Reinhart and Calgary’s Sean Monahan.
“These guys are good players in the NHL, and for me, it’s an honor to be compared with those guys,” Bolduc said. “For sure I see myself the same way they play. These guys are great players, they play fast and for me, it’s a really great comparison.”
