Radek Bonk
Encyclopedia
Radek Bonk is a Czech
professional ice hockey
player currently playing for Oceláři Třinec
of the Czech Extraliga
.
and began his hockey career playing for Slezan Opava
in the Junior Czech league and Zlín
in the Czech Extraliga
. He moved to North America
in 1993 with a goal of playing in the National Hockey League
(NHL) and was signed by the International Hockey League (IHL)'s Las Vegas Thunder
, with whom he spent the 1993–94 season as a 17-year-old. Bonk was an immediate sensation in the IHL and by the end of his first season of the North American brand of hockey he had registered 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points in 76 games. NHL scouts took notice, and Bonk found himself at or near the top of all the top prospects lists for the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
. Given his young age (17), size, and ability to quickly adapt to the more physical style of hockey in North America, Bonk became a "can't miss" prospect.
Bonk was drafted third overall by the Ottawa Senators
in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
, the first forward selected. He returned to Las Vegas
for the first half of the 1994–95 season while the NHL was shut down by the owners' lockout and registered 20 points in 33 games. His debut NHL season of 1994–95 was somewhat disappointing, and Bonk scored only 3 goals and 11 points in 42 games. His progress took some seasoning in his first five years of NHL hockey before he emerged as one of the league's most complete forwards by 1999–2000. He went on to play for the Senators for 10 seasons, eventually becoming the team’s #1 center under the tutelage of head coach Jacques Martin.
Bonk originally wore number 76 as a member of the Thunder and in his first two seasons in Ottawa, but switched to number 14 after new general manager
Pierre Gauthier
implemented a team rule prohibiting players from wearing "vanity numbers" (that is, numbers higher than the goaltenders). Thus, teammate Alexandre Daigle
also switched to number 9 from his traditional 91.
A skilled player, Bonk was often criticized in the Ottawa media for his lack of aggression, despite his size. On the day of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings
for a third round draft pick. The same day, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens
along with Cristobal Huet
for Mathieu Garon
and a third round selection in the 2004 draft. His most productive season points-wise was the 2001–02 NHL season when he produced 70 points for the Ottawa Senators
.
On July 2, 2007, Bonk signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators
to a two-year contract.
On July 22, 2009, after 969 games in the NHL it was announced that Bonk agreed to a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
to continue his career in the Russia
n Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL). After only seven games into the 2009–10 season, Bonk left Yaroslavl to return the Czech Republic with Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga on October 8, 2009. Radek posted 17 points in 39 games for the season with Oceláři to earn a two-year contract extension on May 2, 2010.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player currently playing for Oceláři Třinec
HC Ocelári Trinec
HC Oceláři Třinec is an ice hockey team who play in the Czech Extraliga, the top tier of Czech ice hockey. Their home arena is Werk Arena in Třinec...
of the Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
.
Playing career
Bonk was born in CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
and began his hockey career playing for Slezan Opava
HC Slezan Opava
HC Slezan Opava is an ice hockey team in the Second National Hockey League from Opava.The club was founded in 1945. As soon as in 1951, Slezan was promoted to the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League and played there until 1953. Slezan Opava played in the top-level league also two seasons in 1957...
in the Junior Czech league and Zlín
HC Zlín
PSG Zlín is an ice hockey team in the Czech Extraliga. Their home arena is Zimní stadion Luďka Čajky in Zlín. They won the Extraliga in 2004. They were formerly known as HC Hamé Zlín.- Club names :* 1928 - SK Baťa Zlín* 1945 - ZK Baťa Zlín...
in the Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
. He moved to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in 1993 with a goal of playing in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) and was signed by the International Hockey League (IHL)'s Las Vegas Thunder
Las Vegas Thunder
The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999...
, with whom he spent the 1993–94 season as a 17-year-old. Bonk was an immediate sensation in the IHL and by the end of his first season of the North American brand of hockey he had registered 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points in 76 games. NHL scouts took notice, and Bonk found himself at or near the top of all the top prospects lists for the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. Given his young age (17), size, and ability to quickly adapt to the more physical style of hockey in North America, Bonk became a "can't miss" prospect.
Bonk was drafted third overall by the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
, the first forward selected. He returned to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
for the first half of the 1994–95 season while the NHL was shut down by the owners' lockout and registered 20 points in 33 games. His debut NHL season of 1994–95 was somewhat disappointing, and Bonk scored only 3 goals and 11 points in 42 games. His progress took some seasoning in his first five years of NHL hockey before he emerged as one of the league's most complete forwards by 1999–2000. He went on to play for the Senators for 10 seasons, eventually becoming the team’s #1 center under the tutelage of head coach Jacques Martin.
Bonk originally wore number 76 as a member of the Thunder and in his first two seasons in Ottawa, but switched to number 14 after new general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Pierre Gauthier
Pierre Gauthier
For the Canadian politician see Pierre Gauthier Pierre Gauthier is an ice hockey administrator in the National Hockey League...
implemented a team rule prohibiting players from wearing "vanity numbers" (that is, numbers higher than the goaltenders). Thus, teammate Alexandre Daigle
Alexandre Daigle
Alexandre Daigle is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Despite being drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Daigle never lived up to his potential, achieving a maximum of only 51 points in the regular season, well below expectations for a first overall...
also switched to number 9 from his traditional 91.
A skilled player, Bonk was often criticized in the Ottawa media for his lack of aggression, despite his size. On the day of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
2004 NHL Entry Draft
The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for a third round draft pick. The same day, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
along with Cristobal Huet
Cristobal Huet
Cristobal Huet is a French professional ice hockey goaltender playing for Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss National League A, on loan from the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He developed his goaltending skills in Grenoble with Les Brûleurs de Loups. He has also played with the...
for Mathieu Garon
Mathieu Garon
Mathieu Garon is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Garon is a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Garon has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Garon was a member...
and a third round selection in the 2004 draft. His most productive season points-wise was the 2001–02 NHL season when he produced 70 points for the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
On July 2, 2007, Bonk signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
to a two-year contract.
On July 22, 2009, after 969 games in the NHL it was announced that Bonk agreed to a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator....
to continue his career in the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). After only seven games into the 2009–10 season, Bonk left Yaroslavl to return the Czech Republic with Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga on October 8, 2009. Radek posted 17 points in 39 games for the season with Oceláři to earn a two-year contract extension on May 2, 2010.
Personal
Bonk is married to a Canadian, Jill Sarcen, whom he met in Ottawa while a member of the Senators. They have sons — Oliver Jaroslav and Cameron, and daughters Kennedy Grace and Maya.Awards
- 1993–94 — Gary F. Longman Memorial TrophyGary F. Longman Memorial TrophyThe Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy, was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the most outstanding first year player as voted on by the league's coaches. Prior to 1968, the award was known as the Leading Rookie Award.-Winners:...
(IHL Rookie of the Year)
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1992–93 | Zlín ZPS HC Zlín PSG Zlín is an ice hockey team in the Czech Extraliga. Their home arena is Zimní stadion Luďka Čajky in Zlín. They won the Extraliga in 2004. They were formerly known as HC Hamé Zlín.- Club names :* 1928 - SK Baťa Zlín* 1945 - ZK Baťa Zlín... |
CZE Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
30 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Las Vegas Thunder Las Vegas Thunder The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999... |
IHL | 76 | 42 | 45 | 87 | 208 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 1994–95 | Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | 33 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
42 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Prince Edward Island Senators Prince Edward Island Senators The Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1995–96 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 76 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 53 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1997–98 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 65 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 81 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 1999–00 | Pardubice HC Pardubice HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice is a professional ice hockey club that plays in the Czech Extraliga. It is located in Pardubice, home venue is ČEZ Arena. The club previously was named HC Eaton Pardubice, but since the 2011–12 season the club is named HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice.-History:Ice hockey is... |
CZE | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 80 | 23 | 37 | 60 | 53 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 74 | 23 | 36 | 59 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 82 | 25 | 45 | 70 | 52 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 70 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 36 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 10 | ||
| 2003–04 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 66 | 12 | 32 | 44 | 66 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 | Oceláři Třinec HC Ocelári Trinec HC Oceláři Třinec is an ice hockey team who play in the Czech Extraliga, the top tier of Czech ice hockey. Their home arena is Werk Arena in Třinec... |
CZE | 27 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Zlín ZPS | CZE | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 61 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 52 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 74 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 79 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 40 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Nashville Predators | NHL | 66 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator.... |
KHL Kontinental Hockey League The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe.... |
7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Oceláři Třinec | CZE | 39 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 60 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| NHL totals | 969 | 194 | 303 | 497 | 581 | 73 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 42 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 17th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Gävle, Sweden. Canada won the gold medal, its sixth championship, while Sweden won silver, and the combined team of the Czech and Slovak Republics won bronze... |
Czechoslovkia | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
Czech Republic | WCH World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships - Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :... |
Czech Republic | WC | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 |
| Junior int'l totals | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Senior int'l totals | 11 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 | ||
Transactions
- June 28, 1994 — Drafted by the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the first round, third overall. - June 26, 2004 — Traded to the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for a third round draft pick (Shawn WellerShawn WellerShawn Weller is a professional ice hockey left winger playing for the St. John's Ice Caps of the American Hockey League...
). - June 26, 2004 — Traded with Cristobal HuetCristobal HuetCristobal Huet is a French professional ice hockey goaltender playing for Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss National League A, on loan from the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He developed his goaltending skills in Grenoble with Les Brûleurs de Loups. He has also played with the...
to the Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in exchange for Mathieu GaronMathieu GaronMathieu Garon is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Garon is a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Garon has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Garon was a member...
and a third round draft pick. - July 2, 2007 — Signed as a free agent by the Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.