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Kyle Bollers Spotlight Header

Inside Athletics Zaina Razek

Kyle Bollers: Against all odds

Through 60 games, 96 points, and a FISU Games gold medal, Kyle Bollers has left his mark as a TMU Bold student-athlete. His years at TMU have been successful and memorable, but difficult at times, and soon it'll be in the past for Bollers as he hopes to go professional. This is all to say that Bollers has done an exceptional job at making it this far, and it all began as a young kid who just loved to be on skates. 

Bollers recalls all of the high achievements, initiatives, teams, and challenging injuries he has had in his career and they can all be attributed to who he is now on and off the ice. 

As a young kid, Bollers played for a team that wasn't suited to his level, and working hard wasn't as important to him. "I didn't care about putting extra work into getting better. My biggest regret is not taking that part seriously when I was younger," said Bollers. 

Kyle Bollers Spotlight Oshawa GeneralsBollers started playing for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), but in 2018, he was let go by the team.

"I got released to go play Junior A, which was big as an 18-year old…that was a big challenge for me," he added.

He spent a season with the Brantford 99ers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and although it was a change, Bollers spent the time getting better and became a multi-award winner.

Bollers was given the OJHL First-Team All-Star Award after recording 86 points. He was a fan favourite in Brantford which has translated over the years. 

The OHL was already a big part of his life, but it's also where one of his fondest memories of hockey was created. Bollers calls Oshawa home and in 2018 during the playoff run with the Oshawa Generals he secured a big goal for them.

"I think it was great, being a hometown kid there, living in Oshawa my whole life," said Bollers.

Shortly after, Bollers had a big decision to make. Multiple universities had given him offers including Brock, TMU, and Laurier. Bollers was a huge fan of the recruitment at TMU, and for him, it was a no-brainer. 

"They [TMU] always treat the program so professionally, and I want to play pro after school and they have all the tools to help me be successful," he explained.

In his time at TMU, Bollers has been quick to rise to the challenge every time he hits the ice. It has been four years full of bonding and great memories with his teammates. Kyle Bollers Spotlight Teammates

"It's fantastic and as the year goes on, we are slowly getting very close to each other which is perfect. It's happening at the right time." 

The team has put in the time and effort to be there for each other, especially when hockey, classes, or other things get tough. He explains the team support system with a mantra of: "Just wake up the next day or week and buckle down and you'll get it done, and you're good enough to do it."

Bollers and the team are currently preparing for the Queen's Cup playoffs and eventually the national championship which they will be hosting this year. Having a close team doesn't just mean good memories, but also great chemistry on the ice. 

Now as teammates, they play together and hang out, but that's not all. Bollers has committed to a program at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. This is an initiative that Bollers created called "KBs Bold Crew" that occurs at least twice a month, where he plays ball hockey with young kids. 

This initiative was inspired by his grandfather's words. "He told me when I was younger to just give back to the community and he was my big mentor that I looked up to."

After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, Bollers has made it a necessity to spend time with kids who don't have all these opportunities, even if it's just for an hour and a half, but he's not alone.
 
Kyle Bollers Spotlight KBs Crew

"I love that my teammates and some of the women's team come out and without them, I wouldn't be able to do it," said Bollers. He continues to give them credit for helping him out and taking time out of their schedules. At the end of the day, it is all about the kids, and even for a short amount of time, putting a smile on their faces.

"Some kids look up to us, some bring their own sticks or goalie gear, and some truly look forward to that day," said Bollers. 

It's not always evident what these kids are going through, but for those two hours, they get to have fun with their friends and are constantly asking for Bollers to come back.

"That is all I need to hear is that they're having a great time, and enjoying it enough that they want us to come back; I'm truly blessed for that," he added.

Bollers also created a clothing brand back in his time with Saginaw, called Against All Odds, to highlight his creative abilities. The name comes back from when he was cut from the Spirit.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to beat the odds or be the one that makes it out from being a guy that wasn't supposed to be here," said Bollers.

Bollers references it as a term that continues to motivate him and keeps him determined to push forward. 

In his final semester at TMU, Bollers is making the best use of it in a program he loves, Sport Media. 

As a student-athlete, Bollers misses out on a lot of the broadcast opportunities in the program, yet he has found a passion for being in front of the camera, editing, and seeing all the behind-the-scenes work. 

"They're the little things and hobbies I liked when I was a kid, and now I'm able to do it as an adult," he explained.

Bollers has found the program that he really enjoys and still surrounds sports, which is a big part of his life. 

As we go through the second semester of the year, Bollers plans to fast-track through and make this his last. 

Kyle Bollers Spotlight FISU Medal"Hopefully, we could win a Queen's Cup and the whole thing with nationals could boost my chance to go and play pro because more teams will come out and watch your team as a whole," added Bollers. 

Ever since he was a kid, all he wanted to do was play pro hockey, and his supportive family was right behind him. His parents and grandparents try to come to watch him when he plays, even if that means driving four hours.

"I think that's my biggest mindset because my grandpa's not doing too well right now so I hope I'm able to play a pro game in front of them."

Kyle Bollers, the "Michigan" goal scorer and Bold all-star, has made some great moves on the ice, but even more so off the ice. He continues to be an inspiration to young players and teammates, and has a clear image of what hard work can lead to. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kyle Bollers

#88 Kyle Bollers

F
5' 11"
3

Players Mentioned

Kyle Bollers

#88 Kyle Bollers

5' 11"
3
F