Express Draft Pick - Bo Dolan

Player Profile - Bo Dolan - 5'10"/179lbs - Defenseman

1990 birth year from St. Paul, Minnesota. Dolan was drafted by the Express in May's NAHL Entry Draft. He played his high school hockey for the perennial powerhouse Hill-Murray Pioneers. He scored 5 goals and 21 assists in only 16 games, and was named Honorable Mention All-State as the Pioneers won the 2008 State Championship. He also played on Team NE in the Minnesota Elite League, and on the Section 4 Great 8 Team.

He was drafted in the 6th round of the 2007 USHL Futures Draft by the Sioux Falls Stampede, who also drafted Express Alum Tim Smith in the 8th round of that draft. Bo made the Stampede roster heading into the 2008/09 season, and played 18 games before being traded to the Tri-City Storm on December 8, 2008.



Tri-City was an absolute disgrace as a franchise last season. Money problems forced the coaching staff to recruit solely off the internet, and it showed on the ice as the Storm finished a USHL worst 11-48-1. The team has since been sold, and will have a new coach for the 2009/10 season. The resulting roster upheaval led to Dolan's release by the Storm, and I'm sure that played a part in the Express's interest in him. He attended the Fargo Force's tryout camp earlier this month, and hopefully we see him July 17th at the Express Main Camp.


My take: The Express franchise has had tremendous luck with Hill-Murray guys over the years. Dolan would join Brian Arrigoni, Dan Cecka, Ryan Guentzel, Gabe Guentzel, Vince Unklesbay, and Tom O'Brien, as former Pioneers to suit up for the Express. He was the best defenseman on the best team in Minnesota in 2007/08, and would certainly be a solid fixture on the blueline for our favorite junior hockey team.

Dolan is not your prototypical big defenseman at 5'10". He makes up for his lack of size by playing a tough, physical brand of hockey, and also isn't afraid to drop the gloves and take care of business that way when necessary. I mostly agree with Coach Cullen's attitude when it comes to fighting, but at times last year, teams took some liberties with our guys knowing they wouldn't have to answer for their misdeeds. Dolan tallied 4 fights last season, and his presence in the Express lineup would at least make the opposing teams think twice before running our goalie.






I'm excited to see Dolan playing for the Express. He's a USHL veteran with a full year of junior hockey under his belt, and has some scoring ability. He will fill the hole left by Tim Smith's departure to Providence College.

Welcome to Owatonna Bo Dolan.

See you at the rink.

--Big Kahuna