Aaron Bohls 'em over/ Gold Kings veteran defenseman injects, spills

The Colorado Gold Kings have never had a player like Aaron Boh. He's quickly become a fan favorite with his aggressive, no-holds- barred style of play. But he's also become a target for critics who say this well-traveled defenseman's lack of discipline occasionally hurts the team.

Brought in as a free agent by first-year coach Al Pedersen this season, Boh has made his presence felt. Fans warmly embraced his hard- hitting style, and management found they had something in Boh that fans wanted to see.

"He's easily the most flamboyant player the Gold Kings have ever had," said general manager Jeff Newman. "You want players that the fans can rally around, and Aaron Boh is certainly that."

While many professional athletes have followings, Boh's fans are a bit different. At each home game, a small group gathers behind the home goal wearing all black T-shirts adorned with "Boh Knows" lettering and big, bushy black wigs.

The 27-year-old Boh takes it as a compliment: "I guess my style of play gets fans fired up and it shows they can relate to me."

He certainly doesn't have a problem relating to the fans: "I like to go out and have fun - on the ice and off. I'm not full of myself. Too many times, athletes are too inaccessible."

To prove his point, he's been known to have a couple of beers with fans after home games.

Boh, who played in England with the London Knights last season, also has international fans. Earlier this season a pair of British fans (Rick Strang and Lynva Clement-Adams) made the trek to watch Boh play at World Arena. "We told him that wherever he went we'd save our money and go to watch him play," Strang said.

Boh was more than a little surprised to see them: "It was flattering. I'm not Gretzky. I couldn't believe it. They put the 'fan' in fanatic. Fans coming to see Boh and the Gold Kings have learned he isn't afraid to take a penalty or two. Sometimes, three or four.

Through 32 games, Boh has racked up more than 200 penalty minutes, more than double anyone on the team.

He's quick to protect him teammates. "If someone took a shot at Daub (goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck) and I'm on the ice, I guarantee that I'm going to be the first guy to drop my gloves," he said.

But he insists that he uses good judgment when he goes after an opponent.

"You have to consider who's going to gain or benefit from a fight," said Boh, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder.

Pedersen has mixed feelings about Boh's penalties.

"It can help you or it can hurt you," Pedersen said. "He's a presence on the ice, but he doesn't always get the benefit of the doubt from the officials. He's also taken his share of questionable penalties."

Questionable penalties aside, Pedersen points out that Boh knows how to get the crowd on his side - whether he's throwing pucks into the stands, talking with fans or handing his stick to an appreciative young fan. Pedersen laughingly notes that Boh has already exceeded his allocation of sticks.

A nine-year veteran who's put the "journey" into journeyman, Boh has played for 15 professional teams in six leagues. He isn't afraid to respond to critics who question his traveled past.

"If teams didn't want me, then I wouldn't have a job," he said. "I've never had trouble finding a club that wanted me on their roster."

With the Gold Kings about to depart on their longest road trip of the season - six games in Anchorage, San Diego and Tacoma - Pedersen is looking to Boh for leadership.

"Boh had a great series against Bakersfield and I'm looking for him to keep showing that leadership and experience as we get deeper into the season," Pedersen said. "When he's out there on the ice, things happen."

- Scott D. Jones may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

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