Bonneau keeps his eyes on the prize
Jun 9, 2005 12:45:15 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2005 12:45:15 GMT -5
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MONTREAL - Jimmy Bonneau is no ostrich. One of the elite tough guys in the QMJHL this past season, he dropped his gloves in more than 30 fights and won the majority of them. If he hopes to pursue his career in hockey, he knows he must maintain the same style of play that attracted the Canadiens to him in the first place; in other words, don't look for him to be ducking his head in the sand anytime soon.
At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Bonneau has the build that demands respect from opponents who might consider mistreating one of his teammates.
“I know what I have to do," he explained. "I play hockey when it’s time and I drop my gloves if I need to.”
Though he’s skilled with his fists, Bonneau has shown he can tally the points when necessary, scoring 11 goals and 22 points with the PEI Rocket in 2004-05.
“It was a tough year for us," the forward recalled. "We had a young team and had to make up for the losses of Michael Lambert and Cory Urquhart. Obviously that didn’t help our offense. From a personal standpoint, though, I was given more ice time and was able to gain more experience.”
Now that it’s summer, one might expect the 20-year-old tough guy to be lounging on a terrace, enjoying the weather. Instead, Bonneau has been hitting the gym, boxing, running and doing conditioning exercises five times a week, in anticipation of lacing up his skates for a mini-camp with some of his fellow prospects. With no vacation time scheduled in June, Bonneau knows the price he needs to pay to move up in the hockey hierarchy and his hard work could be his ticket to Hamilton in September.
“I told myself I’m going to bring every opportunity to me. I’m working very hard and I don’t want to regret anything if things don’t go the way I want them to. No matter what happens, I’ll feel confident that I gave it my all.”
Bonneau starts every day with this mentality and it’s one that will possibly one day see him put on a Canadiens’ jersey. He doesn’t have much of a choice but to think that way, given that his junior career has likely come to an end. The Rocket haven’t locked him up for next season and as of yet, no other junior team has expressed any interest.
“Team management let me know that my junior career is over. In some ways it’s a good thing because it’s a sign that it’s time for the next step. Whether I join the AHL or I find myself with a team in the East Coast Hockey League, I’ll have a positive attitude and I’ll push myself to accomplish even more.”
Honest and straightforward, Bonneau is disappointed in the tough-guy stereotype surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in hockey.
“If someone is looking for steroids, they’ll find them. If they don’t, they won’t. From my experience, I’ve never come across steroids but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. If I’m being beaten by a guy who’s bigger and stronger than me because he’s pumped up on drugs, well, that’s the way it’ll be because I’m not going to risk my life just for the “satisfaction” of knocking out an opponent. I’m true to myself.”
To show his determination to evolve as a hockey player, Bonneau enlisted the help of a nutritionist.
“It’s my way of increasing my strength. I watch what I eat and train extensively. This year, I was fine with the Rocket but in the professional levels, I have to be bigger because I know I’ll be playing against bigger guys.”
The Canadiens an imposing figure in Hamilton in the form of Raitis Ivanans, a 6’4” Latvian who tips the scales at 245 lbs. To knock him off his feet, both literally and figuratively, is no easy task. To land a spot with the Bulldogs, Bonneau not only has to be stronger but he has to show Canadiens brass he can be successful without using his fists. Assuming he’s ready to accept the challenge and, if need be, ready to go toe-to-toe with Ivanans to win a spot on the team. From this day forward, if you want to chitchat with Bonneau, you’ll find him in the gym every day, where a sand bag will be taking quite a beating.
MONTREAL - Jimmy Bonneau is no ostrich. One of the elite tough guys in the QMJHL this past season, he dropped his gloves in more than 30 fights and won the majority of them. If he hopes to pursue his career in hockey, he knows he must maintain the same style of play that attracted the Canadiens to him in the first place; in other words, don't look for him to be ducking his head in the sand anytime soon.
At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Bonneau has the build that demands respect from opponents who might consider mistreating one of his teammates.
“I know what I have to do," he explained. "I play hockey when it’s time and I drop my gloves if I need to.”
Though he’s skilled with his fists, Bonneau has shown he can tally the points when necessary, scoring 11 goals and 22 points with the PEI Rocket in 2004-05.
“It was a tough year for us," the forward recalled. "We had a young team and had to make up for the losses of Michael Lambert and Cory Urquhart. Obviously that didn’t help our offense. From a personal standpoint, though, I was given more ice time and was able to gain more experience.”
Now that it’s summer, one might expect the 20-year-old tough guy to be lounging on a terrace, enjoying the weather. Instead, Bonneau has been hitting the gym, boxing, running and doing conditioning exercises five times a week, in anticipation of lacing up his skates for a mini-camp with some of his fellow prospects. With no vacation time scheduled in June, Bonneau knows the price he needs to pay to move up in the hockey hierarchy and his hard work could be his ticket to Hamilton in September.
“I told myself I’m going to bring every opportunity to me. I’m working very hard and I don’t want to regret anything if things don’t go the way I want them to. No matter what happens, I’ll feel confident that I gave it my all.”
Bonneau starts every day with this mentality and it’s one that will possibly one day see him put on a Canadiens’ jersey. He doesn’t have much of a choice but to think that way, given that his junior career has likely come to an end. The Rocket haven’t locked him up for next season and as of yet, no other junior team has expressed any interest.
“Team management let me know that my junior career is over. In some ways it’s a good thing because it’s a sign that it’s time for the next step. Whether I join the AHL or I find myself with a team in the East Coast Hockey League, I’ll have a positive attitude and I’ll push myself to accomplish even more.”
Honest and straightforward, Bonneau is disappointed in the tough-guy stereotype surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in hockey.
“If someone is looking for steroids, they’ll find them. If they don’t, they won’t. From my experience, I’ve never come across steroids but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. If I’m being beaten by a guy who’s bigger and stronger than me because he’s pumped up on drugs, well, that’s the way it’ll be because I’m not going to risk my life just for the “satisfaction” of knocking out an opponent. I’m true to myself.”
To show his determination to evolve as a hockey player, Bonneau enlisted the help of a nutritionist.
“It’s my way of increasing my strength. I watch what I eat and train extensively. This year, I was fine with the Rocket but in the professional levels, I have to be bigger because I know I’ll be playing against bigger guys.”
The Canadiens an imposing figure in Hamilton in the form of Raitis Ivanans, a 6’4” Latvian who tips the scales at 245 lbs. To knock him off his feet, both literally and figuratively, is no easy task. To land a spot with the Bulldogs, Bonneau not only has to be stronger but he has to show Canadiens brass he can be successful without using his fists. Assuming he’s ready to accept the challenge and, if need be, ready to go toe-to-toe with Ivanans to win a spot on the team. From this day forward, if you want to chitchat with Bonneau, you’ll find him in the gym every day, where a sand bag will be taking quite a beating.
