Ramblers bring big man Boland to Amherst

AMHERST - The Ramblers have just added a major league hockey heavyweight to their roster with the signing of left-winger Matt Boland.
"It's no secret that because of Matthew's size he's a physical presents on the ice," Ramblers coach Corey Crocker said.
"He's going to make our team tougher instantly."
Boland comes to the Ramblers from the St. John Fog Devils of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, who moved to Montreal in the offseason.
The 19-year-old weighs in at 230 pounds with a height of six-foot-four.
With that kind of size his toughness is a given, but what else does he bring to the game?
"I come down here with big size and a big heart," Boland said.
"So I'm hoping to add that leadership quality. I played three years in the Q, so I learned the ropes in that kind of a league and I hope to come down here and teach these younger guys what I learned."
Crocker has known and worked with the Newfoundlander in the past and they know each other well.
"I only had to ask him to come here once and he relishes the opportunity to play here and play in front of the Amherst crowd," Crocker said.
"Matthew is big but the biggest part of his game is his leadership qualities. He adds some big time leadership to our team."
Boland said he did a lot of fighting in Quebec major junior but wants a change in direction.
"I'm hoping to come down here and not focus on that," he added.
"I want to come down here and focus on playing hockey."
There was room on the roster for Boland in Montreal, but he didn't want to pass up the chance to work for Crocker.
"Corey doesn't run anything but the best, so Amherst looked great," Boland said.
"He's prepared to work with me on a lot of things."
Crocker looks forward to working with Boland.
"He's been invited to NHL training camps and he needs to develop his skills," Crocker said. "In Quebec major, I don't think he got the right opportunities."
What if he does have to drop the gloves?
"If it comes down to it, I'll drop the gloves," Boland said. "It's about team toughness. I'm not going to let anyone get pushed around. That's a team thing.
"Like I said before, I've come down here to play hockey, not to box."
Crocker's said Boland is a team player on and off the ice.
"He will be attending Mount Allison. He has great values and great morals, and he's another great addition to the great group of guys we have here.
"I think the town has been waiting for someone like Matthew for the last couple years," Crocker said. "The fans will surely like what they see."

dmathieson@amherstdaily.com