The Bison men's hockey team prepares for the 2016-17 season as head coach Mike Sirant enters into his 21st season at the helm of the Bisons and has added one coach to the staff for the 2016-17 season. Sirant is pleased to announce Ryan Bonni as new assistant coach to the Bison program for the upcoming season.
Bonni, 37, had an extensive playing career at the National Hockey League (NHL), American Hockey League (AHL) and international level plus was second round pick (34th overall) of Vancouver Canucks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The Winnipeg native made the NHL and played for the Canucks while playing four seasons in the AHL including 2001-02 season with the Manitoba Moose. In addition, the 6'4", 190 lbs. defenceman played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and also with Europe teams in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia and Italy until 2009-10 season. Bonni also was part of two Allan Cup championship teams with the South East Prairie Thunder in 2012 and 2015.
Prior to the professional hockey career, he played five seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Rebels and recorded 102 points (26 goals, 76 assists) with 649 penalty minutes in 245 regular season games.
"I first met Ryan at a Nashville Predators training camp where he impressed me as an outstanding player and a real quality person," comment Sirant. "Ryan's character, extensive playing and coaching hockey background, passion for the game, and commitment to helping our players develop and achieve their goals, makes him a perfect fit for the Bisons. I'm really looking forward to working with and learning from Ryan."
Following his successful playing career, Bonni began his coaching career as head coach of the River East Royal Knights, in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL), starting in the 2010-11 season.
Bonni enthused, "I'm extremely excited to join the Bison coaching staff this year, and be part of a program with such a strong history and tradition. I look forward to helping the team achieve success at the national level, and developing our players to move on to the pro level."
Bison Notes: Bonni will join the returning coaching staff for 2016-17 as assistant coaches Steve Christie, Tyler Dittmer, Riley Dudar and Devin Himpe return.
