OHL Ottawa 67's

Then and Now: Catching up with Brad Bonello

Published on October 1, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release


Then:

In October 2004, the Ottawa 67's traded their 2005 5th round pick to the Peterborough Petes for Brampton native Brad Bonello. 67s's fan blog founder Sid, had this to say at the time:

'Killer was on TEAM 1200/Sportscall this morning to talk about Bonello. He feels Bonello will add an 'offensive punch' (both figuratively, and literally!), and 'provide help up front'. Killer said 'this was an opportune time to get an over-ager'.

'A lot of interesting threads on the discussion boards (NOOF and 67's) regarding the Bonello acquisition. Many feel that he will be uncontrollable, a nuisance player, and that Killer has made a mistake. Others feel that Killer has always been able to handle these guys, and with the right guidance and line-mates Bonello will only improve. We'll see how he looks on Friday.'

There was some speculation that Peterborough simply didn't want him around anymore and told him to stay home to await a trade, despite having only 1 overager.

In his first 5 games with the 67s, Brad scored 3 goals and 4 assists as the 67's went 3-1-1. And thus began the best year of his OHL career where he was better than a point-a-game in the regular season (26 goals and 40 assists in 58 games). But the best was yet to come.

It has been said that revenge is best served cold and I would guess a hockey arena counts as cold enough. After contributing 5 goals and 7 assists in the 67's improbable run through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Brad was playing against his former team, the Peterborough Pete's, for the Eastern Conference championship and a ticket to the Memorial Cup in London.

Brad scored 2 goals and an assist in that series including a goal in the 3-2-overtime game at the Civic Centre that swept the Pete's. This is one of Brad's favorite memories as a 67s.

And Now:

I had the pleasure of catching up with Brad just before he headed off to Italy to report to his 11th team in 4 years. He certainly has figured out how to pull up stakes and move (possessions are down to the essentials).

A career in the professional minors is a tough grind where you are only a payroll decision or an injury away from being replaced by an effective, cheaper player (which is what happened in Mississippi when he went down with a high ankle sprain). But it's also a career of opportunities. He got his opportunity with the (yes - in Scotland!) because player/coach Doug Christiansen recalled how much he hated playing against Brad in the ECHL. When he needed a player like that for his own team, he turned to Brad who has continued to do what made him successful with the 67s: be a pesky, point-a-game kind of guy who is tough to play against.

The gig in Scotland was his break into playing in Europe where he hopes to extend his career longer than he might have been able to had he stayed in North America. In Scotland, it took him a while to really understand what the locals were saying (for a while he just nodded while concentrating hard to figure out what he was hearing), he acquired a taste for red wine (but not for dark beer) and finally appreciated why his grandfather was such a big soccer fan. He's a little more concerned about going to Canazei Italy where he will play for because he doesn't speak Italian. (Despite having an Italian sounding name, his family actually hails from Malta.)

Brad clearly loves playing and considers it a privilege and opportunity to see the world while doing something you love. The money's not great but, if handled well, it can be OK. He once complained about how hard it was to an uncle who owns a flooring company. Brad was promptly put to work on very large job removing flooring. That dose of reality set him straight.

While many would have hung up the skates a long time ago, he finds it hard to talk about retirement. He has started a hockey school for kids in Southern Ontario where he hopes to share his experiences and encourage them to follow their dreams. Someday he would like to be a GM. He is much more interested in building teams than coaching them, especially with the game opening up more for the smaller, skilled player (a bit of a burr in his butt on this point).

In the meantime, this 9th round pick of the Erie Otters in 2001 continues living his dream. His family is very supportive; Mom is especially happy with the signing in Italy!

Oh, and that 2005 draft pick that Killer traded for Brad? The Pete's selected Teddy Ruth who chose to go the NCAA route. Guess the 67's came out on the better end of that trade. Thanks Killer!

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2009


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