Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former NHL right wing/defenseman for Edmonton, Boston, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Colorado and Chicago. Also played in the American League for Cape Breton, Hamilton, Portland, Philadelphia, Wilkes Barre, Providence, Binghamton and Hershey. His pro career lasted from 1993-2008 and he accumulated the most career penalty minutes in pro hockey, surpassing Kevin Evans in 2008.
Interesting Facts: In 1997 Dennis set an AHL single-season record for PIM with 522 – a mark which stood for eight seasons (eclipsed by Brian McGrattan’s 551). Bonvie’s AHL career PIM total is 4,493 in 871 regular season games, which was 1,553 more than Rob Murray’s 2,940 in 1,018 games over 15 seasons.
HT: 5-foot-11 WT: 205 pounds
DOB: July 23, 1973 In: Antigonish, N.S.
HockeyInspirations: “Every kid growing up wanted to play in the NHL, so that was a big inspiration. I was a big Edmonton Oiler fan and Toronto Maple Leafs fan. I was a big Wendel Clark fan.”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Golf, being a dad, hanging out with the kids.”
Nicknames: “Bones; Bonzai.”
Favorite Movies: “I liked Braveheart. Movies like that are pretty good.”
Musical Tastes: “Big country fan.”
Favorite TV Show: “SportsCenter.”
Last Book Read: “Good question. What would it be…not been a whole lot of them (smiles). Maybe Angels and Demons.”
First Hockey Memory: “Probably getting my first pair of skates for my birthday.”
First Job: “Working at a farm.”
First Car: “Honda Civic.”
Current Car: “I got a Chevy Trail Blazer.”
Favorite Uniforms: “Chicago Blackhawks.”
GreatestSports Moment: “A couple of good ones. Playing in the National Hockey League in my first game (1994-95). We beat Wayne Gretzky. Then I scored when I was with the Boston Bruins (2001-02).”
Most Painful Moment: “There’s been a couple of painful ones. Broke a few bones here and there. (Where?) Knees and hands and all that stuff.”
Most Memorable Goal: “With Boston, against New York Islanders. My first NHL goal.”
Closest Hockey Friends: “Steve Dixon.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Joey Tetarenko was funny. Marc Bergevin was funny.”
Funny Hockey Memory: “Obviously there’re bloopers all the time. When certain guys do certain things. Couple guys scoring on their own net.”
Embarrassing Hockey Memory: “I don’t know… Scored on my own goal in junior.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Ovechkin, Crosby, these guys are great players.”
Personality Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. Competitiveness.”
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