Former Vancouver Canucks Forward Signs One-Year Contract in Europe
Photo credit: FOX Sports
A former Vancouver Canucks forward has signed a one-year contract to remain overseas in Europe, putting an end to rumors about a potential return to North America for the 2025-26 campaign.
Over the next few months, we're going to see several former NHLers decide to take their talents overseas to Europe to continue their professional hockey careers, as is the case every summer.
Playing overseas in Europe is a great opportunity for players to experience a new fan environment, city, culture while doing something they love and last fall, former Vancouver Canucks forward Nick Bonino left North America after 15 NHL seasons to sign a contract in Slovenia.
Nick Bonino extends contract with Slovenian ICE Hockey League team
Every spring as the majority of European leagues are wrapping up their respective seasons, every team takes a bit of time to evaluate where they're heading into the summer and whether or not they want to re-sign certain player or release them so they can pursue a new opportunity.
For former Vancouver Canucks forward Nick Bonino, after a solid stint with HK Olimpija Ljubljana, the Slovenian club has decided to re-sign him to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 ICE Hockey League season.
"Bones proved from the start, by deciding to join Olimpija, that he's someone who trusts his instincts. Those instincts turned out to be right, as he feels at home in Ljubljana and wants to continue building our story.
He has proven to be a very reliable player who steps up in decisive moments and leads the team with his calmness. I was especially impressed with his attitude during the national championship finals, where he demonstrated complete professionalism and dedication, and was the best individual player on our team." HK Olimpija Ljubljana CEO Anze Ulcar said about the signing.
He has proven to be a very reliable player who steps up in decisive moments and leads the team with his calmness. I was especially impressed with his attitude during the national championship finals, where he demonstrated complete professionalism and dedication, and was the best individual player on our team." HK Olimpija Ljubljana CEO Anze Ulcar said about the signing.
The Hartford, Connecticut native, who registered 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 22 regular season games and one assist in two playoff contests, shared his excitement about staying with HK Olimpija Ljubljana for another year in a statement on the team's official website.
"My family and I feel great in Ljubljana. The club has a clear vision and an ambitious plan that inspires me. I want to be part of this chapter and help the team both on and off the ice." Bonino said.
Bonino, 37, appeared in 75 regular season games and six Stanley Cup Playoff games during his lone campaign with the Vancouver Canucks, who acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks in the Ryan Kesler trade in June 2014.
In 75 regular season games as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Bonino put up 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a plus-seven, before going on to add three points in six games during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
When Nick Bonino becomes a free agent again next spring, at the age of 38, it's going to be very interesting to see what his plans will be, whether he remains overseas in Europe, retires or, probably the most unlikely possibility, finding a professional tryout (PTO) with an NHL team.
Source: HK Olimpija Ljubljana
Nick Bonino Stays at Olimpija for the 2025/26 Season
Nick Bonino Stays at Olimpija for the 2025/26 Season
| POLL | ||
MAI 10 | 748 ANSWERS Former Vancouver Canucks Forward Signs One-Year Contract in Europe Which do you think is the most likely scenario for Nick Bonino following the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Re-sign or sign with new club in Europe | 284 | 38 % |
| Return to North America | 98 | 13.1 % |
| Retires from professional hockey | 366 | 48.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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