Nick Bonino

Nicholas Bonino (born April 20, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He was a center for 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and New York Rangers, as well as one season in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL) for HK Olimpija. Bonino represented the United States three times, winning a bronze medal twice.

Prior to beginning his collegiate career at Boston University, Bonino was drafted in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2007 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks. However, his playing rights were traded to the Anaheim Ducks before he could sign or play for the team. Bonino played three seasons with the Boston University Terriers before embarking on his professional career with the Ducks. Although he played with the HC Neumarkt-Egna during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Bonino spent the majority of five years within the Ducks system before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks. His tenure with the Canucks spanned one season before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bonino became a significant member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and played a huge factor in the Pittsburgh Penguins becoming the first back to back Stanley Cup champions of the salary cap era. His play in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs was a significant factor in the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Stanley Cup as he led the team in assists. Along with his linemates Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin, the trio was nicknamed the HBK line and noted for their strong play during the playoffs.

Bonino was born on April 20, 1988, in Newington, Connecticut, to Joanne and Steven Bonino. His mother is a speech therapist while his father works for BellSimons, an air conditioning system supplier. As a youth, Bonino played with the Connecticut Clippers Peewee Minor team and he helped them win the 2002 Atlantic Youth Hockey League playoffs. He finished his tenure with the team holding their all-time record in goals, assists, and points.

Bonino began his high school career at Farmington High School in Connecticut before transferring to Avon Old Farms. While at Farmington, Bonino played under the tutelage of Mike Barone while leading the school to its first state championship. In his junior year, Bonino scored three goals to lift Farmington over North Branford for the NHC Tournament title. He later scored another hat-trick to lead Farmington to the a CIAC Division II boys' hockey finals against Trumbull. His play as a sophomore drew attention from University of Maine men's assistant coach Grant Standbrook and Avon Old Farms coach John Gardner. Although he impressed Gardner with his playmaking ability, the coach was concerned with his skating skills. In spite of this, Bonino led the team to its first state championship by scoring the game-winning goal with 12:28 left in the second overtime.

After scoring a state single-season record 68 goals, Bonino transferred to Avon Old Farms for his senior year. While at Avon Old Farms, Bonino captained the team to the New England Prep championship in 2007. As a member of this team, he played on a line with brothers Tom and Cam Atkinson to win the Avon Old Farms Christmas Hockey Classic over The Frederick Gunn School. He also committed to play collegiate ice hockey at Boston University for the men's ice hockey team on a hockey scholarship after offers from Providence, New Hampshire, Yale, and Union. Leading up to the 2007 NHL entry draft, Bonino was ranked 117th among North American Skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureaus Mid-Term Rankings. Bonino was eventually drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 173rd overall.

Bonino played for the Boston University Terriers at Boston University from 2007 to 2010. There, he enrolled in the university's College of Arts and Sciences. Bonino made his collegiate debut on October 13, 2007, where he tallied two assists in the 4–4 tie with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. He later scored his first collegiate goal in a 6–2 loss to the Michigan Wolverines on October 27. Bonino was recognized as the Hockey East Rookie of the Week on November 5 after he combined for three points in two contests against the UMass Lowell River Hawks, including the game-winning goal. The following month, Bonino recorded his first multi-goal game in a 4–3 loss over the River Hawks. In February, Bonino and the Terriers went 8–1–0 and its lone loss to Boston College did not count against them in the Hockey East standings. Bonino finished his freshman season playing in 39 of 40 games and ranking fifth on the team in scoring with 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points.

Bonino returned to the Terriers for the 2008–09 season, where he broke out offensively to help lead the team to the 2009 NCAA National Championship. The Terriers began the season strong by winning the Ice Breaker Invitational title over the Michigan State Spartans. Following the tournament, Bonino, and Colin Wilson were named to the All-Ice Breaker team. Through the first seven games of the season, Bonino and Wilson tied for the conference lead in scoring with 12 apiece and tied for third nationally in points per game, at 1.71. Although he was producing, the Terrier's coach Jack Parker noticed that his defensive game was lacking and subsequently benched him for one game. Upon returning to the lineup, Bonino recorded five goals and an assist over his next six games. Bonino's success continued into the annual Beanpot tournament where he helped the Terriers erase a 2–0 deficit against the Harvard Crimson and scored the first of three shorthanded goals in a 5–2 win over the Northeastern Huskies. His efforts during the tournament earned him the 2009 Beanpot MVP and Co-Player of the Week honors.