Drafted by the Storm in the 5th round of the 1995 OHL Priority Selection, Nick Bootland played three seasons for Guelph. Recognized as the Storm’s Most Improved Player in 1996-97, Bootland went on to win the club’s first ever J.Ross Robertson Cup in 1997-98.

Selected by the Dallas Stars in the 9th round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Bootland played seven seasons in the AHL with Hershey Bears and Cleveland Barons. He also played 114 games in the ECHL for the Cincinnati Cyclones. Before wrapping up his professional career, Bootland served as Captain for the Kalamazoo Wings of the UHL.

Currently, Bootland is in his 13th season as head coach and director of hockey operations for Kalamazoo. He has led the K-wings to the North Division title in four of their nine seasons in the ECHL and to seven appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.