CHICAGO -- Brandon Bollig had made the walk through the hallway and toward the United Center’s locker rooms prior to a game many times before.
The difference Wednesday was he never got to the Chicago Blackhawks' locker room. He stopped at the visiting locker room.
Bollig returned to the United Center for the first time Wednesday since being traded by the Blackhawks to the Calgary Flames in June.
“It’s pretty weird,” Bollig said prior to the game. “It’s pretty weird walking into the building with another team. I’m excited. It’s going to be great to see all those guys out there and hopefully give them a couple of shots. It’ll be awesome. Definitely mixed emotions once I get out there and hear the anthem again and all that. It’ll be a good time for me.”
Bollig signed his first professional contract with the Blackhawks in April of 2010. He began his career in the AHL and eventually earned his way into the Blackhawks’ NHL lineup. He played in 125 career regular-season games and 24 playoff games for the Blackhawks over three seasons and was part of their 2013 Stanley Cup championship team.
Bollig was planning on at least a few more years with the Blackhawks after signing a two-year contract extension in March. He even purchased a place in Chicago. Instead, he was dealt for a third-round draft pick to the Flames in June because the Blackhawks were looking to shed some cap space. Blackhawks forward Jeremy Morin is now living in Bollig’s home.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Bollig said of being traded. "It was a shock. I wasn’t sure [what to expect]. I’ve never dealt with a trade. I wasn’t sure how it would go down. Once I got up there and everyone was welcoming and meeting the guys and coaches and things like that, it’s been great. Obviously I miss my time here.”
Bollig’s former teammates remembered his time with the Blackhawks fondly and looked forward to seeing him on Wednesday.
“He came a long way,” said Blackhawks forward Ben Smith, who lived with Bollig for a season while both were with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. “He just improved so much. He just worked really hard at it. So, it’s good to see him being rewarded, playing a lot, playing every night.
“It’ll be weird to see him in a different uniform. It’ll be fun to see him out there. I’m sure we’ll say hello, have a couple of laughs and get down to business out there on the ice.”
Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw planned to be friendly to an extent.
“I’m sure I’ll have a few words for him,” Shaw said. “He’s a good friend, good teammate when he was here. We just hope him all the best and hopefully he’s liking his new team, and it’ll be nice to see him again. But you don’t have any friends when you’re on the ice.”
Bollig wouldn’t expect anything less.
“I’m sure you guys all know who is going to chirp me the most,” Bollig said. “It’s going to be Shawzy for sure. That’s obviously the type of player he is. But like I said, I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what the guys are like on the ice.”
As for the fans, Bollig wasn’t sure what his reception would be at the United Center. He was liked and disliked by fans while with the Blackhawks.
“I have no idea,” Bollig said. “I’m excited to see the crowd, regardless of what my reception will be like. Hopefully it’s a decent one.”
However fans treat him Wednesday, Bollig will always think highly of his time in Chicago. He wouldn’t even discount a return to the Blackhawks later in his career.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Bollig said of playing for the Blackhawks. “Obviously winning a championship, but not only that, the relationships you make, not only with the guys, but with the coaches and people around the community is something I’ll never forget. Can only hope maybe I’ll end up back here one day.”
