Oliver Bonk
While it’s not always a good idea to draft someone based on their pedigree, it’s clear that Oliver Bonk, son of long-time NHLer Radek Bonk has been groomed for stardom for quite some time, and after an incredible OHL campaign last year, he is now ready to take his two-way game to the next level.
Oliver Bonk (#2023NHLDraft) wins it in the shootout for the London Knights with this beautiful backhand deke.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) March 3, 2023
Did I mention he's a defenceman? pic.twitter.com/cGaQNY2ME4
Standing at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Bonk has the size, speed and talent to be a star at the NHL level, and at 18-years of age, he’s going to get better and better as time goes on, and while there are other defenceman that could be seen as a higher ceiling, there’s very few that have the floor that Bonk does. His size won’t intimidate anyone in the NHL, but he uses every inch of his body to play a physical game, and with plenty of potential as a playmaker, especially in the transition game, the Flames could do a lot worse.
2022-23 stats: 10 goals, 30 assists for 40 points in 67 games for the London Knights of the OHL.