Eric Boulton's game is as a hard-hitting and hard-nosed forward. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was born August 17, 1976, but played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League; first with the Oshawa Generals and finishing with the Sarnia Sting.
Originally drafted by the New York Rangers late in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Bolton didn't hit the NHL until he signed with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent during the summer of 1999.
Prior to making his NHL debut with the Sabres in 2000-01, Boulton toiled in the AHL, IHL and ECHL. After four years of honing his skills in the minors, Boulton worked his way on to the Sabres roster in 2000-01 and has gone on to establish himself as a hard-working winger while keeping the opposition on their toes.
In the summer of 2005, the hard-nosed winger was acquired by the Atlanta Thrashers.
In Atlanta, Boulton continued to play with an edge, consistently being among the team leaders in penalty minutes. Boulton's rugged style of play made him a fan favorite in Atlanta and on July 6, 2010 he would re-sign with the club, inking a one-year deal.
Prior to the 2011-12 season, the New Jersey Devils signed Boulton to a two year contract. In the second year of that contract, the Devils bought out the remainder of it to make him an unrestricted free agent.
On June 30, 2012. the New York Islanders signed Boulton to a one year contract.
