Dennis Bonvie built his reputation in the nastiest corners of the rink, but his next chapter is unfolding in a very different part of hockey: the Bruins’ executive suite.
Bonvie, now 53, spent his playing career as one of the game’s most notorious enforcers. He finished with 311 penalty minutes in the NHL and 4,493 in the AHL, a combined total that made him the most penalized player in pro hockey history. The career that sent him to the sin bin so often has since turned into a long climb through hockey operations, and that path has now taken him to a promotion with Boston.
The Bruins recently elevated Bonvie to assistant general manager, adding another title to a résumé that already included director of player personnel. In that role, he oversees pro scouting, and his background in that area has made him a natural fit for the front office.
Bonvie’s route into management started after he retired from professional hockey following the 2007-08 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. After 15 years as a player, he moved into pro scouting with the Toronto Maple Leafs, then spent six years with the Chicago Blackhawks. That stretch included three Stanley Cup wins before he returned to Boston in 2015, when Don Sweeney became the general manager.
“I always pinch myself - I started in Toronto the first year, then I got six years in Chicago winning three Stanley Cups in a great organization,’’ Bonvie told Daily Faceoff. “To go to a great organization like the Bruins (one I played for) and slowly move up the ranks has been very lucky (for me).”
His work now stretches beyond pro scouting. Bonvie’s duties as assistant GM also include some amateur and college scouting, along with helping oversee the AHL’s Providence Bruins, communicating with agents and assisting with contracts.
For Bonvie, the scouting side of the job has a clear connection to how he played.
“Doing the same thing; expanding my role and continuing doing what I’ve been doing,’’ Bonvie said. “Even when I played, you’re always looking for someone to give you an opportunity. I tool that towards scouting; all these players are playing for a reason - does it work for an organization and what we’re trying to do?
“You’re trying to find the right fit, believing in the player that you’re bringing on.’’
Bonvie is effectively stepping into the role Jamie Langenbrunner previously filled. Langenbrunner has moved on to the Nashville Predators as their special assistant to the GM, and Bonvie said he learned plenty from him.
“Jamie is a wonderful person and a wonderful leader,’’ Bonvie said. “To work with him (in all capacities) was something I was fortunate to do. He always gave a player an opportunity, he saw the best in a person - all very credible attributes.”
Langenbrunner had the same praise when Daily Faceoff asked him about Bonvie.
“Good man and very happy to see him get this opportunity,’’ Langenbrunner told DFO. “He’s worked hard for it and has earned everything he’s got from this game, both as a player and in his post career. He’s someone that will always be a good friend regardless of where our (respective) careers take us.”
Boston’s front office will lean on Bonvie’s experience as it continues building around a roster that was in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race last season. Bonvie expects the Bruins to stay in that fight.
“You can expect a lot of the same (from us): very competitive and a hard out,’’ Bonvie said. “I think we will continue on what we’ve done, adding young players and continue to find guys that play the way that (we) want to play.’’
He may have spent years earning his stripes in hockey’s roughest role, but Bonvie says he’s not rushing to chase the sport’s top executive seat. For now, he’s happy right where he is.
“I think everybody does (think of becoming a GM),” Bonvie said. “You want to reach for the highest level you can, no doubt.
But right now, I’m happy and satisfied where I’m at right now. I’m (working) below some really good people.
“I’m pretty happy being the AGM of the Boston Bruins.’’
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