Blazers Hire Bonner As Vice President & General Manager
April 22, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
KAMLOOPS, BC - The Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club today announces the signing of Craig Bonner to a 5-year contract to serve as the team's new Vice President & General Manager of Hockey Operations.
"We are elated to have Craig return to the Blazers," says President Tom Gaglardi. "He has made tremendous strides in his career over the past several years, with perhaps his most notable accomplishment being his key role in the Vancouver Giants winning the Memorial Cup last season. Craig is a natural leader who commands tremendous respect throughout the WHL. He possesses the skill sets, knowledge and vision necessary to be successful in our league, and he is the right leader for this franchise today."
Bonner joins the Blazers in what will be his third different role with the club. Bonner was a player for four seasons from 1988 to 1993 - including time as captain and winning the 1992 Memorial Cup in Seattle - then rejoining the club in 1997 to serve as an Assistant Coach and Executive Assistant. Bonner was hired by the Vancouver Giants and as Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager in 2002 - positions he held for six seasons before once again returning to Kamloops.
"First of all, I'd like to thank the Kamloops Blazers ownership group - Tom Gaglardi, Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor - for putting the faith and trust in me to get this organization back to where we all believe it should be," said Bonner. "Second, I would like to thank the Vancouver Giants organization, especially Ron Toigo, Scott Bonner and Don Hay, for not only allowing me to pursue the GM position with the Blazers but encouraging me and endorsing me for the job."
"The culture, identity, and work ethic of the Kamloops Blazers organization both on and off the ice must change," continued Bonner. "I believe, as an organization, our job is to not only form a team that will be competitive and have the work ethic we want on a nightly basis, but also to build a program that year after year the people of Kamloops and especially the fans of the Kamloops Blazers can be proud of."
Bonner takes over these duties effective immediately. He becomes the 9th person to hold the title of General Manager since the team arrived in Kamloops in 1981. Below is a chronology of past Blazer and Junior Oiler GMs:
1981-82 Harvey Roy
1982-84 Bill Laforge (Coach & GM)
1984-85 Harvey Roy
1985-86 Ken Hitchcock (Coach & GM)
1986-95 Bob Brown
1995-98 Stu MacGregor
1998-2004 Mike Moore
2004-07 Dean Clark (Coach & GM)
2007-08 Brian Fortin
His first task as GM will be to oversee the Bantam Draft which is set for May 1st in Calgary.
The Giants will receive third-round bantam draft selections in 2008 and 2009 as compensation.
The Blazers also announce that Shane Zulyniak has changed roles within the organization. Formerly Assistant GM/Assistant Coach, he has accepted a position within the Sales and Marketing Department of the Blazers. A further announcement regarding changes to this department will follow in the coming weeks. "The Blazers would like to thank Shane for his hard work with our players in the past two seasons and look forward to his continued contributions in our sales and marketing department", remarked team President Tom Gaglardi.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Brian Fortin for the job he did as General Manager in the second half of last season," concluded Gaglardi. "We greatly appreciate his dedication and commitment during the period of transition." Fortin, a 19-year Blazer veteran, will return to his scouting duties effective immediately.
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Western Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2008
- Moller Signs with the Los Angeles Kings - Chilliwack Bruins
- WHL/CHL Mourns The Passing Of Ed Chynoweth - WHL
- Blazers Hire Bonner As Vice President & General Manager - Kamloops Blazers
- Giants Assistant GM/Assistant Coach Moves On - Vancouver Giants
- Raider Goaltenders Help CMN - Prince Albert Raiders
- Kootenay Ice Mourn Passing Of Ed Chynoweth - Kootenay Ice
- WHL Chairman Of The Board, Ed Chynoweth, Passes Away - WHL
- 2008 WHL Bantam Draft - WHL
- Moller posts assist, Monarchs ousted - Chilliwack Bruins
- Calgary Hitmen Announce Playoff Dates for Remainder of Lethbridge Series - Calgary Hitmen
- Chiefs Take Game 3; Lead Series 2-1 - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Take Lead in Series - Spokane Chiefs
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