With the exception of Ryan Reaves and a few other brave souls, most people would be hesitant to drop the gloves with Tom Wilson. This is not the case for Blake Bolden, and in a video she did for ESPN and posted to X, the former NWHL player asked the Capitals’ enforcer for a fighting lesson.
This is journalism at its top form, friends.
“You want to grab the shoulder pad cause you get more grip,” Wilson eloquently explained. “Cause the jersey will just rip. You use your other arm to throw.”
Then Bolden asked the million-dollar question.
“And now what are you doing in response to this,” the defender asked.
It was then that Wilson’s stick clattered to the ice. A terrifying sound to all.
“Don’t… don’t do anything crazy,” Bolden said.
Luckily for 5-foot-7 Bolden, Willy just wanted to continue in his professor-like explanation of beating the crap out of someone while wearing ice skates. Can you major in that? Willy could have a new career path on his hands.
“Especially in hockey, you’re engaged.” Wilson continued. “You’re not like backed off and fighting, you’re holding on.”
[*Pay attention, he may test you later.*]Not only did Wilson teach his star pupil how to throw a proper right hook, but he also taught her the art that is blocking and punching, at the same time.
“I would hold over here,” Wilson demonstrated. “So if you’re gonna throw your right hand, I can hide behind my block.”
Wilson showed how he perfectly places his elbow to catch punches and protect his face from any knuckles thrown. Bowden, despite the size discrepancy, caught on quick.
After going through the Willy boot camp, the NWHL’s 2019 Defensive Player of the year was throwing punches like the best of them.
“She’s got a lot of fire,” Wilson said.
Wilson would know. He is widely feared around the league for his physicality. The enforcer has accumulated 88 regular and postseason fights in the NHL since the 2012-13 season. The 6-foot-4, 220 pound forward is currently the fifth in the league in penalty minutes this season (90) and he holds the number two spot for all-time penalty minutes amassed by current NHL players at 1,389.
The fracas had a lot more of steps than Bolden previously expected. She shared the video to Instagram with the caption “Ya gotta grab, hold on, dig in your edges and throw bows…ALL AT ONCE 🤯🤯.”
Wilson has many fights behind him, and if we have any predictive qualities, many ahead of him especially as future captain. Now, instead of just watching Willy bash someones face in, we can take note of his perfectly placed blocking arm and which part of his opponents gear he locks on to before they begin to dance.
