Nick Bonino has a San Jose Sharks jersey at home, and for good reason. He was drafted by the club in 2007, in the sixth round, 173rd overall.
Now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and having the playoffs of his life, Bonino reflected on the start of his NHL journey Monday, after scoring the game-winning goal against the Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The 28-year-old never suited up for the Sharks. He was traded in 2009 to the Anaheim Ducks, where he began his NHL career, but the Sharks will always be a part of his life.
"It was cool to be drafted. I'll always thank them for drafting me," Bonino said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Seth Rorabaugh. "But I only went to a couple of development camps. Really nice guys. A really, really good organization.
"I've got my draft jersey back in my room at home. I'll obviously never get rid of it. But that's it."
Bonino made his NHL debut on March 26, 2009 with the Ducks in Edmonton. Seven years later, after five in Anaheim and one in Vancouver, he's in Pittsburgh. And while he doesn't know what his future holds, he's happy to be wearing black and gold.
"I think I found a home for sure," Bonino said about the Penguins after his Game 1 heroics. "I enjoy the guys, enjoy the team. Organization is first class. Definitely feels nice to be in the Cup Final playing with (Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin), it's been a lot of fun for me."
All four of Nick Bonino's goals this postseason have come in either the third period or overtime. #Clutch
— Pete Jensen (@NHLJensen) May 31, 2016
After being traded twice in recent years, from Anaheim to Vancouver to Pittsburgh, Bonino's not thinking long term, due to the nature of his profession. But barring another trade, he's a Penguin for another season, signed through the 2017 season at $2.1 million.
Bonino is slated for unrestricted free agency on July 1, 2017, and he's no doubt hoping to have a Stanley Cup on his resume by then.
