One week into training camp in 2007, Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock summoned two local beat writers to his office for a private chat after his post-practice scrum was finished. Hitchcock did this often, enjoying the back and forth with those who watched his teams closely.



One of the messages Hitchcock imparted that day was to keep an eye on rookie forward Jared Boll, who was not only going to make the Blue Jackets’ roster out of training camp but also was generating interest far beyond the ice surface of Nationwide Arena.



“This kid’s got the whole league’s attention,” Hitchcock said, beaming.



During an 11-year career with the Blue Jackets (nine) and Anaheim (two), Boll never achieved NHL star status, per se. But the lanky kid from Chicago always had his own team’s respect and the opposing team’s attention.



The 32-year-old, who has the most fighting majors (171) in the NHL since his career dawned with the...