No. 13: Oliver Bonk, RHD
2022-23 League/Team(s): London Knights (OHL)
2022-23 Statistics: 67 GP, 10 G, 30 A, 40 PTS, 38 PIM, +/- 17
Age: 18
Acquired In: 2023 NHL Draft – Round 1, Pick 22
How did Bonk’s 2022-23 season go? Is his stock trending up or down from where it was entering the year?
Bonk had a solid season on a strong London Knights team, and put up an additional 11 points (all assists) in 21 playoff games. That was a huge shift in his usage after playing only 10 regular season games in 2021-22 (plus another seven in the playoffs), so it’s safe to say his stock is trending up. Bonk recently signed his ELC with the Flyers, though it’s unlikely he’ll be on the big club this year, so expect him to continue playing outside the Flyers organization.
What are we expecting from Bonk this season? What should we be looking for from him?
If he sticks with the Knights, we should expect Bonk to continue playing a minute-munching defenseman role–maybe even develop some scoring chemistry with another recently drafted Flyers prospect in Denver Barkey. Scouts project Bonk as a high-floor/low-ceiling sort of defenseman, but clearly the Flyers think there’s more there to have taken him at 22nd overall in the forward-heavy 2023 draft.
The defensive side of his game is already quite sound for someone his age and, while his point totals are probably a bit inflated from being on those stacked Knights teams, he isn’t devoid of offensive instincts, either. Listed at 6’2″ and 180 lbs., he’s built like an NHL defenseman, and consistently makes smart, subtle plays to either breakup the opponent’s offense or put his teammates on the attack. If Bonk continues to develop that sort of consistency, he’s got a great career ahead of him.
How does Bonk fit in the Flyers’ rebuild? Is it likely he’s going to be a part of the next good Flyers team?
It’s nearly a guarantee Bonk is going to be a part of the next competitive Flyers roster. His floor, if all goes well, is top-four defenseman–and the dearth of top-four quality right-shot defensemen in the Flyers’ pipeline dramatically increases his chances. The fact that he’s already signed an ELC with the Flyers shows the organization’s commitment and faith in him long term, and that they probably have big plans for him.
Still, defensemen usually take a little more time to develop than forwards, and at only 18 we shouldn’t expect to see him for a couple years–unless, of course, his play becomes impossible to ignore. If that happens, we might see him much sooner.
What do we think Bonk’s ultimate NHL upside is, and how likely is it that he gets to something approaching that?
In an interview with BSH’s very own Kelly Hinkle and Bill Matz, President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones highlighted the importance of “building from the blue line.” One current NHL defenseman Jonesy mentioned was Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes–perhaps the best defensive defenseman in the league. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the organization sees traces of Slavin’s game in Bonk’s: the consistency, the stability, the lack of flash but sound positioning and smart plays–hallmarks of how Slavin plays, and elements of it show up in Bonk’s scouting profile. If Bonk’s ceiling is Slavin-lite, him and Cam York would make a hell of a top pair.
However, Bonk’s floor is a solid, two-way No. 3/4 defenseman on a Stanley Cup contending team–think John Marino on the New Jersey Devils. Maybe that’s not what you want from a 22nd overall pick–especially considering the forward talent that was still available–but it’s a valuable piece. Splitting the difference between those two possibilities puts him as a No. 2-type player, which could be the most likely outcome and isn’t a bad return for a player picked at No. 22.
Anything else?
Admittedly, I might be a bit higher on Bonk than a few others, and most of that comes down to position: the Flyers have no other RHD prospects with top-pair potential. If the Flyers draft a stud right-shot defender in 2024, maybe Bonk gets bumped down my list a bit, but for now he might be the highest ceiling blueline prospect in the organization not named Cam York. That might not bring much solace but, at the beginning of a rebuild, there are worse places to start.
