The American Hockey League (MHL) recently announced it’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which includes MHL alumni and former NHLer Dennis Bonvie.
“Widely respected for his competitive spirit and toughness, Dennis Bonvie played 871 games in the American Hockey League over 15 professional seasons. The Nova Scotia native began his career with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1993 and was selected to participate in the AHL All-Star Game in 1995, scoring the first goal in the modern event’s history. After stops in Hamilton, Portland and Philadelphia, Bonvie joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for their inaugural season in 1999 and quickly became a fan favorite, helping the team reach the Calder Cup Finals in 2001. He moved on to Providence, Binghamton and Hershey before returning to Wilkes-Barre, where he retired in 2008 with 84 goals, 191 assists and a pro hockey record 4,493 penalty minutes for his AHL career. Since his retirement, Bonvie has served as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, for whom he has been director of professional scouting since 2022.”
Bonvie played two seasons in what was then called the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League for the Antigonish Bulldogs. In 1989-90, Bonvie had fifteen goals and 30 assists in 50 games. The following season, he amassed 347 penalty minutes in 40 games, with one goal and eight assists. After two seasons in the OHL, Bonvie would begin his fourteen-season journey between the AHL and NHL which included time with the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Colorado Avalanche.
The induction of the Class of 2024 will take place as part of the festivities at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Tech CU, to be hosted by the San Jose Barracuda. The American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for February 5.