Nick Boka
Birthday: 1997-09-08 | Position: D |
Eligible for draft: 2015 | Shoots: Right |
Drafted: 2015 | Height: 6-0 |
Acquired: 6th round (171st overall), 2015 | Weight: 196 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2015-16: Boka was one of five freshman to play a key role for the University of Michigan as the Wolverines reached the NCAA Midwest Region championship game. One of three defensemen to skate in all 38 games along with freshman Joseph Cecconi (DAL) and fellow Wild prospect junior Nolan DeJong, Boka had 10 assists and was +17 with 19 penalty minutes. Michigan finished second in the Big 10 to Minnesota after a late season loss to the Gophers and back-to-back losses to Ohio State but turned things around in the conference tournament, defeating Minnesota, 5-3, in the championship game. The Wolverines defeated Notre Dame, 3-2 in overtime, in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals before falling to eventual national champion North Dakota, 5-2, in the regional final.
Talent Analysis
Nick Boka is a solid, defense-first player who possesses enough skill to make good passes. His awareness, aggression and poise are all strengths, though his offensive tools are somewhat limited.
Future
Boka moved from one part of Ann Arbor to another in 2015-16, skating for the University of Michigan as a freshman after two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. A prominent presence on the blue line for the Wolverines despite his youth, Boka has the make up to be the latest in a string of top defensemen who have come through the Michigan program.