Nick Bonino ends career and switches to the Penguins as a coach!

Nick Bonino ends career and switches to the Penguins as a coach!

Ljubljana, Slowenien - Nick Bonino, a former Stanley Cup winner, ended his active career as an ice hockey player. In the coming season he will work as an assistant Coach at the Pittsburgh Penguins. There Bonino will work under the new head coach Dan Muse. This decision is a return to North America for the 37-year-old American, where he has already celebrated great success.

Bonino most recently played for the Slovenian club in Win2day Ice Hockey League, where he had signed a one -year extension of his contract shortly before the end of the season. Bonino played a total of 24 games in Ljubljana and scored 18 scorer points (6 goals, 12 assists). During this time he was also able to win the Slovenian championship and was enthusiastic about his time in Ljubljana: "I am a fan of the club," he said and thanked the fans for their support.

career highlights and review

The Bonino career extends over several teams in the NHL, including the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2007 and reached the highlight of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017 when he won the Stanley Cup twice. In the 2016/17 season, Bonino scored 37 scorer points in 80 games, including 18 goals and 19 templates. In the playoffs he was active in 21 games and scored 7 goals and 4 templates, although he had failed in the last four final games due to an injury ( Kicker ).

With his move to the Penguins, Bonino follows the coaching position of a trend that many players in the NHL went before him. In 2023, the Change market of the NHL showed an increased activity, with numerous players who were looking for new challenges to increase their chances on the Stanley Cup. Among other things, Timo Meier changes to the New Jersey Devils, while Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko strengthen the New York Rangers ( Ice hockey News ).

The end of his career career is not only a farewell to the active game, but also the beginning of a new chapter in ice hockey. He sees his decision as the best for his family and is optimistic about his role in the Penguins, where he wants to pass on his experience and knowledge to the next generation of players.