The Anger that Fuels Dan Boyle

Back in 1999, when I was writing about and monitoring prospects for the Florida Panthers, a smallish offensive-minded defenseman by the name of Dan Boyle was signed as a free agent after a fine career with Miami University (Ohio). At 5'11" and 190lbs, Boyle was certainly not considered a top prospect, given how smallish offense-first defensemen usually weren't given the time of day.

Still, I read a lot about Boyle and saw him play during his first call up to the Panthers. He looked like a natural offensive dynamo, running the Power Play with confidence, and rushing up the ice like a fourth forward. I figured he would have a good chance at an NHL career and would replace Jason Woolley as the Panthers PP specialist. My peers? They thought I was nutso. How could a puny Sandis Ozolinsh wannabe survive the brutal NHL jungle?

The road to success wasn't easy for Boyle, as he bounced up and down from the AHL, and got into a few fights with coaches over his risky playing style. It wasn't until Dan landed in Tampa Bay that his game was nurtured and his overall game matured.

Looking at him now, It's hard to believe that one of the league's most skilled offensive defensemen was never even drafted by an NHL club. How could every NHL team not think Boyle was worth a late round pick?

It's this rejection that fuels Boyle, as he confessed during a recent interview with ESPN.com

Q: During your college days at Miami University of Ohio, you were a Hobey Baker finalist, but you still went undrafted. Why?

A: That's a very good question. You tell me, I don't know. Thirty teams, at least 10 rounds. To me, it's amazing that one of the best college players can't get even picked up as a late-round pick. It's ridiculous. It really puzzles me.

Q: What did the scouts and GMs tell you?

A: The one question was obviously my size. [I was] a defenseman at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds at the time; but still, you would think that one guy would say, "Hey, maybe we'll pick this guy and take a chance." But they wouldn't even do that, which I think is ridiculous.

Q: It sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

A: I do. Until I retire, it's going to be the fuel that energizes me. People have overlooked me my whole career and still do today.

Q: Does it bother you when you see these 6-foot-4, 235-pound players, who don't have the same skill level as you, potentially taking away the chance for another Dan Boyle-type player to get a look?

A: Yeah, that bothers me. If I am helping any smaller defensemen get a look, if I am helping out in any way, that makes me more proud than anything. Eight years ago, you couldn't name five guys with my size in the league. Now, there are more and more smaller defensemen getting a chance. It's great.