Jake Boltmann (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Defense
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, April 2020: Jake is a very interesting prospect. I have no doubt that he’s going to get drafted, it’s just a matter of how high. You’re going to be getting a righty who’s about 6’1 190 pounds right now that’s heading to Minnesota. So there’s a pretty good chance that he’ll be turning pro around 200lbs. That’s an ideal size for today’s NHL. Plus he’s got very good feet and a nice base to build off of for his future. He’s good in the defensive zone and definitely is not a puck watcher. He played well during his time in the USHL at the start of the season leaving little doubt that he was physically ready to play and compete at that level. So everything is a positive, right? Well, this is where the teams are going to have to dig. I know Edina had a hell of a team 2 years ago and he had 13 points in 24 games. This year the team wasn’t as strong, but he put up the same exact totals of 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 25 games. I know the difference is minimal, but you’d like to see a 2001 offensive defenseman playing high school hockey put up more than 13 points. So the question is where do you take him? For me, Jake is a 6th rounder and there’s nothing wrong with that (I know because I was a 6th rounder). He’s going to start his college career playing in a 5-6 role and stay multiple years. He’s not a one and done. He’s an Edina kid who committed early that will more than likely stay all four years, and we don’t blame him. So he’s going to turn pro at 23 years old after having been a stud at his dream school for four years. To me, that sounds like a 6th rounder who will be ready to compete for an NHL job in the Fall of 2024.
Minnesota Mr. Hockey Watch, February 2020: It’s been a very tough season for the defending state AA champions as they lost nearly their entire top 2 lines to graduation and haven’t been able to score enough. Jake has done his best and been a presence on the blue line while logging a lot of minutes to try and get his team over the hump. The two-way defender hopes to lead his team into sections playing their best hockey of the year.
USHL Scouting Report: Omaha vs. Lincoln, November 2019: The right shot defenseman showed good poise with the puck, good skating ability, and good physicality. Was a positive influence on teammates, picking them up after shifts. Liked his distribution of the puck from the point on the Powerplay. He moved the puck well, and got pucks in the zone on entries. Was good in coverage defensively. Struggled to stay out of the box here, but also drew a penalty. Grade: B Other players evaluated: Kyle McClellan, Rhett Pitlick, Logan Will, Cameron Berg, Chase Bradley, Jack Randl, Grant Anderson, Zach Urdahl, Dominic James, Jacob Bauer and Travis Treloar.
Scouting report, October 2019: A look into what NHL scouts will be looking for during Jake’s draft year (1) Brain – It will be interesting to see how Jake progresses this year. In Minnesota High School hockey he was a beast physically so he was able to cheat and get away with it. This year we will be watching to see his progression of reads in the defensive zone and on line rushes. Has he been cheating because he is smart? Or has he been cheating because that’s the way he reads the game. Again, it will be interesting to watch his progress. (2) Vision & Poise – He plays a simple game and prefers to make a quick outlet pass rather than look for the flashy board to board sauce pass. While running Lincoln’s umbrella he distributed the puck smoothly and on time for his shooters. Our staff felt this was worth noting because Jake has never been a big point producer in the past. (3) Feet – An athletic player with good agility and lateral quickness who is quick to jump on turnovers or an opponent who is having trouble with a bobbling puck. He has a strong stride which allows him to stay up in the play to maintain tight gaps without the risk of getting exposed in transition. (4) Compete & Effort – Jake is very confident in his physical strength and expects to win every confrontation. (5) Contact or Physicality – See above. He enjoys battling and trying to over power anyone on the ice. His goalies trust that he will control sticks and not give up second scoring opportunities. (6) Release – He gets his point shots through and has the ability to hit sticks. We do not feel Jake is going to get many goals from the blue line, but he hits the net consistently and that is a real positive. (7) One Timer Ability – Even though Jake was on the top of the umbrella we did not see any one timers. (8) Body Language – (Only Note Extremes) (9) Special Teams Potential – His athleticism & drive make him a natural penalty killer. We liked his ability to jump on bad passes and willingness to stay in shooting lanes. He did not get tied up with the net front presence and he naturally looked to keep his stick in passing lanes. (10) Intangibles – This is a big year for Jake. We’ve been saying since July of 2018 that he has the ability to hear his name called in 2020. Physically this where Jake should have been playing last season, but he stayed at Edina High School for the opportunity to win the Minnesota State Tourney …. and he did. Jake is honestly one of the most intriguing players in the USHL. Other players evaluated: Jacob Bauer, Dominic James, Spencer Smith, Owen Michaels, Zach Urdahl and Dalton Norris.
2019 Minnesota ‘AA’ State High School Hockey Tournament, March 2019: Jake was one of the toughest defenders to plays against in the tournament. He used his size and athleticism to be physical on attacking opponents. His physical game set the tone for his club and let the other teams know they were in for a long night. His gaps were tight and he finished checks by driving through attackers. He kept it simple with the puck and made the first pass with efficiency. In the offensive zone he showed a heavy shot and the ability to get pucks to the net. COLLEGE: MINNESOTA
Minnesota High School Holiday Tournaments, February 2019: Boltmann was bringing it from the blue line as he let numerous pucks fly. It created scoring opportunities as he can score from there or create rebounds for his forwards. He is a big, strong kid who can play the physical game down low. His two-way game was strong as he made the first pass well and took care of his own end. A big athlete who should continue to get better. College: Minnesota
USA Hockey Select 17 National Development Camp, July 2018: The late ‘01 out of Edina HS proved this week that he has taken his game to another level. He’s a good-sized, athletic, mobile defenseman who really stood out here. He’s a strong, balanced skater with four-way mobility who can step up and deliver a hit or angle them to the boards or make a hard stick check and steal the puck. He’s a swift passer, gets the puck off his stick quickly when he’s being pressured and keeps his head up ice looking for a pass at all times. While he didn’t have any points and didn’t take over in the offensive zone, he plays a poised, controlled game, manages the puck well and knows when to be aggressive at the offensive blue line and when to make the safe play. A mature, versatile defender who has a strong foundation and could very well hear his name called in the 2020 NHL Draft. College: Minnesota Future NHL Draft picks that were also evaluated include John Farinacci, Arthur Kaliyev, Robert Mastrosimone, Cade Webber, Braden Doyle, and Nicholas Robertson, while 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls include Brendan Brisson, Sam Colangelo, Lukas Svejkovsky, Luke Toporowski, Dylan Wendt, Trevor Kuntar, Josh Groll, Casey Severo, Patrick Guzzo, Sam Stange, Zachary Urdahl, Nick Capone, Luke Reid, Mitchell Miller, Mason Lohrei, Ethan Szmagaj, John Fusco and Kennedy O’Connor.
Minnesota HS Class AA State Tournament, March 2018: Boltman has good size, strength and mobility. The late 2001 seemed to focus on his end and did a good job. Played a physical style with a mean streak. Defended his corners and crease with a purpose and stepped up in the middle zone at appropriate times. His puck play was decent but will need work going forward. Sealed off the rush and worked. Really impressive younger player who is tough and reliable. He is a high ceiling prospect. College: Minnesota
Minnesota HS Holiday Tournaments, January 2018: Jake defended extremely well as he took good angles on forwards. His gaps were strong and he is strong enough to finish with the body when given the chance. He didn’t give up and easy chances without making opponents pay. Kept it simple with the puck and made a strong first pass by snapping the puck off. College: Minnesota
MN Elite League Playoffs, December 2017: Jake is a very reliable player in the defensive end as he enjoys the physical game. He defended with pride and purpose. His ability to end offensive pushes by the other team was consistent. He is a young defender who plays a mature game and can handle the ups and downs of the game. He made a couple mistakes with the puck but rebounded and simplified things. Showed he can get pucks through to the net with velocity. College: Minnesota
Minnesota HS Elite League Week 5, October 2017: Played a two-way type of game from the blue line. Was simple with pucks and made the first pass well. Defensively he stayed at home and took care of his own end well. Mixed in a good position with a physical game when needed. If he can add some offense to his game slowly as he develops, sky is the limit. COLLEGE: Minnesota
Minnesota HS Elite League Weeks 1-3, October 2017: As just a 10th grader, Boltmann is still adjusting to the speed of the game. As things slow down to him, he should be better with taking care of the puck. He will compete and defend well down low. He showed some edge and was tough to play against. Future NHL draft picks Bobby Brink, Sammy Walker, Jack Perbix and William Francis were evaluated as well.
NTDP Evaluation Camp (2001s), March 2017: Jake is a major prospect in Minnesota. He was able to make an immediate impact on a talented Edina HS blue line as a late ’01. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s got great mobility and plays with a physical edge. His father was the Edina HS football coach and is big guy who played college football so scouts believe Jake will continue to grow and fill out. He’s a very strong skater and can blast a shot from the point and loves to mix it up in front of the net and deep in the corners. Here he wasn’t on his game. He competed hard and was tough to play against, but found himself in the box too often and didn’t make plays with the puck the way he did this season. College: Minnesota Grade: B
Schwan Cup & Sports Authority MN High School, January 2017: Showed a good two way game and was very consistent. A good skater with the ability to cover a good amount of ice. Took what was given to him offensively and was patient. Defensively he showed a good stick and the ability to be physical. Tough to play against and made the first pass well. As an ’01 Jake was our highest rated defenseman in the tournament. The 2 highest rated forwards were Casey Mittelstadt and Sammy Walker.
Blue Ox-MN Bantam Tournament, December 2016: Jake was the top D-man we saw this weekend and we won’t get an opportunity to see him at this level again as he’s moving up to play for the Edina High School team this season. Jake has good speed and excellent four-way mobility. We see him as a puck mover who can carry also carry it up through the blue lines and should be able to contribute to the offense with his vision at the High School level. Other Bantams who announced their presence at the Blue Ox who are still getting looks from NHL Organizations include: Jackson Kunz, Zachary Michaelis, Noah Tussey, Dane Montgomery, Jack Smith, Joe Miller, Wyatt Kaiser, Luke Mittelstadt, Connor Kelley, Kyle Kukkonen and Brock Faber.