Oliver Bonk is a skilled two-way defenseman who played for the London Knights this past season. His success was a large part of why the Knights found success, making it all the way to the finals in the OHL. Bonk contributed positively on the ice in the defensive zone, making it a challenge for players to make it to the net while also providing offense for his team.
Oliver Bonk has hockey engraved into his DNA, as his father is former NHLer Radek Bonk. Radek Bonk played in the NHL for over ten years and has passed hockey knowledge down to his son. Oliver Bonk actually started playing hockey as a forward, much like his father, but at the age of 10 found himself swapping to defense. Oliver Bonk has consistently been developing since then and now finds himself projected to be picked in the first two rounds of the draft.
Player Details
Born: January 9, 2005
Position: D
Shoots: Right
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 176 lbs
Draft Projections:
Ranked #34 by INSIDE THE RINK
Ranked #26 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #30 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #43 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #20 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING
Looking into Bonk’s game and development path, it can be seen that he’s made clear progress in his game every year. This can especially be seen as he performed at a point-per-game pace in the GOJHL before being called up to the Knights. In his first 10 games with the Knights, he had 3 points. Fast forward to the end of the 2022-2023 season, and he had 40 points in 67 games. That’s a fairly decent jump for the defenseman. A lot of these points are because Bonk is a great passer and sets up plays that way. Bonk sees the ice well, and this has translated into his developing offensive game. As his feet get quicker, he seems to become better and better, and with likely another year in the OHL, he will surely develop into even more of a solid prospect for whoever drafts him.
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Not only has Bonk’s offensive game developed, but his defensive game has been developing rapidly too. Bonk, earlier in his OHL career, could be noticed making some mistakes, but these mistakes are fewer and fewer the more games that he plays. Bonk has been developing into a solid two-way defender, and as he is right-handed, he should be highly sought after at the 2023 NHL draft. It’s not often that a solid right-handed defenseman is available, let alone a two-way defender. Whoever drafts Bonk will be getting a solid NHL prospect who could look to make an impact for years to come.
