Sam Cosentino on the player: Having NHL bloodlines is always a positive, especially when dad Radek played almost 1,000 NHL games and was the third overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 1994 NHL Draft.
Oliver is looking to write his own NHL chapter and enjoyed a fine first season as a 17-year-old rookie with the London Knights. Bonk scored 10 goals, added 30 assists and played in all but one of London’s 68 regular season games.
Bonk spent most of his draft minus-one year with the London Nationals Jr. B team, but did get into 10 regular season and seven playoff games with the OHL Knights. That taste of the OHL, along with being selected to play for Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky, helped springboard him into a successful OHL rookie season.
At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, there’s room left to add muscle and weight to his frame. There’s a wide range of thought amongst scouts as to exactly where Bonk will end up in the draft.
Jason Bukala’s scouting report: Right shot defenceman who leans two-way middle pairing player on projection.
Plays a sturdy game. Pushes back and has an edge to his game at times. Doesn’t shy away from confrontation.
Ability to be used in all situations, but his ceiling offensively is likely for secondary production at best.
Gets in the lane on the PK and fronts the play. Capable with the puck and outlets responsibly. Skating has room to go to another level, but it isn’t an area of massive concern.
