Former Vancouver Canuck Nick Bonino Leaves North America After Parts of 15 NHL Seasons

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Cooper Godin
November 23, 2024 (11:07)

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Former Vancouver Canucks forward Nick Bonino has left North America to continue his hockey career after parts of 15 seasons in the National Hockey League.

After a lengthy career in the National Hockey League which included two Stanley Cups and a stop in Vancouver with the Canucks, veteran forward Nick Bonino is taking on a new challenge overseas in Europe.

In a press release on their official website, HK Olimpija Ljubljana, a Slovenian club in the ICEHL, announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2024-25 season with Nick Bonino.

Former Canuck Nick Bonino signs with HK Olimpija Ljubljana

In joining HK Olimpija Ljubljana, Nick Bonino will be playing alongside a number of Slovenian national team members and Olympians including Robert Sabolic and Ziga Pance.

HK Olimpija Ljubljana President Miha Butara commented on the signing, saying that they're excited to be bringing in someone like Nick Bonino who has plenty of experience in the National Hockey League and who captained the United States at the World Championship.

"The arrival of a player like Nick Bonino represents a significant step forward for us. Having a player join us who has won two Stanley Cups and captained the U.S. national team is a strong confirmation that we are on the right path and a major success for the entire club. I am proud of my colleagues at the club who made this transfer happen. Thank God." Butara said.

The team's director and CEO Anze Ulcar is also thrilled about Nick Bonino joining the club, adding that he had a great first conversation with the former Stanley Cup champion who felt like HK Olimpija Ljubljana and Slovenia were the right fit for him and his family.

"Nick's achievements in the NHL speak volumes about his quality. However, I was most impressed by his personality. He is a dedicated hockey player with a high level of work ethic and respect. From our very first conversation, it was clear that for him, family and hockey come first. He felt that Olimpija, Ljubljana, and Slovenia as a whole are the right environment for him and his loved ones, and he quickly decided to sign the agreement. This decision is a great recognition for the club and all the individuals who work daily to elevate it to a higher level. I am very happy!" Ulcar said.

Bonino, 36, has appeared in 868 games in the National Hockey League across parts of 15 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers.

During his one-year stint in Vancouver during the 2014-15 season, the Hartford, Connecticut native put up 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a plus-seven in 75 games.

It's going to be interesting to see if Nick Bonino decides to return to North America following the 2024-25 season and if any teams in the NHL are interested in his services.