Hogs shore up blue line with Bonni
Published on October 19, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced that the United Hockey League club has signed veteran defenseman Ryan Bonni. Martinson made the announcement at the IceHogs weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Bonni will bring size and experience to the IceHogs defensive core. The 6'-4" d-man has skated all or a part of each of his five professional seasons in the American Hockey League or International Hockey League. This season marks Bonni's first in the UHL and sixth overall.
"He's a big, strong veteran defenseman that will give us size in front of our net, but will also contribute offensively as well," said Martinson.
Last season, Bonni skated with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) after beginning the season with the Greensboro Generals (ECHL). The Winnipeg, Manitoba native appeared in a total of 69 games and netted 2g-13a-15pts and 147 penalty minutes. Bonni also appeared in four playoff games with the Griffins.
Bonni was a second round draft pick (#34 overall) by the Vancouver Canucks during the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. After four successful seasons in the Western Hockey League, Bonni signed on with the Syracuse Crunch before the 1999-00 season and would later appear in three games with the Canucks during his rookie campaign.
To make room for Bonni on the IceHogs roster, the team waived defenseman Greg Snitowsky on Monday. Snitowsky appeared in both games for the Hogs over the weekend and had seven PIM's and was a +1. Bonni is expected to be in the IceHogs line-up on Friday when the team faces-off with the Missouri River Otters.
Next Home Game: Friday, October 22 vs. Missouri River Otters. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. Smash Hit Hockey returns to the MetroCentre! The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive Smash Hit Hockey Poster #1, courtesy of Pepsi, Medicine Man, Johnson Press, Rockford Register Star and The Eagle, 96.7 FM. For tickets call (815) 968-5222.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 19, 2004
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