Bonk working to develop into 'total package' for Flyers

Oliver Bonk has heard about Philadelphia Flyers fans. He's hoping to experience them himself soon.

The right-shot defenseman was chosen by the Flyers with the No. 22 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and got a glimpse of the passion during development camp the first week of July.

He's also heard some stories from his father, former NHL forward Radek Bonk.

"He hasn't told me too much about it, just that the fans were crazy when he played," Oliver said. "I know that they're still probably some of the best fans in sports."

Radek had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists), including two game-winning goals, in 18 regular-season games played in Philadelphia during his 14 NHL seasons with three teams, and had four assists in six Stanley Cup Playoff games. That includes two assists for the Ottawa Senators in their 2-1 overtime win against the Flyers in Game 5 to clinch their first-round series in the 2002 playoffs.

But if all goes well for Oliver, he'll be hearing more cheers than his father.

"To me he looks like he's the total package watching him in these (development camp) drills and stuff," Flyers assistant director of player development Nick Schultz said. "He enjoys defending. He's not just one side. He's a big (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), strong kid, obviously everyone loves that he's a right shot. I think he's very competitive and he loves defending and then obviously the side when he has the puck, he looks like he's got that skill level and that ability to make plays and bring that. It's exciting to have someone in the pipeline like him that we can work with and kind of continue to guide here and help them get to the pro level."

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Bonk had 40 points (10 goals, 30 assists) in 67 games for London of the Ontario Hockey League, and 11 assists in 21 OHL playoff games last season.

He credits not only his father for his success, but London coach Dale Hunter.

"I think he's an NHL-style coach," Bonk said. "He's not going to sugarcoat anything for you, or say, 'Oh you're doing fine,' if you're not. I think it's really all about honesty with him and I think that makes a lot of us better."

The relationship wasn't always great, including when Hunter and general manager Mark Hunter had Bonk play Junior B hockey for St. Thomas of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2021-22 after selecting him in the second round (No. 26) of the 2021 OHL draft.

He might not have enjoyed the experience, but in hindsight sees it as invaluable in his progression.

"They started me off in Junior B and I wasn't really happy about that at first but obviously it worked out," he said. "I owe a lot to them. They're not there to promote themselves, they're there to help everyone succeed and I think it's a really special place to be."

He'll almost certainly have a larger role back in London this season, where his goal will to be continue getting stronger and more prepared for the pace of play he'll face at the next level.

"I think it's just getting bigger," Bonk said. "You can't control your height but you can control how you eat and how you train. I think filling out my frame a bit more, getting stronger. I think that's going to help with the skating and your shot, working on upper body, lower body. I think just getting stronger."