Jakub Stancl fired a hopeful shot with time beyond regulation looming. Czechia had already given underwhelming Canada all it might deal with within the international locations’ quarterfinal matchup eventually yr’s world junior hockey championship.
Jakub Stancl fired a hopeful shot with time beyond regulation looming.
Czechia had already given underwhelming Canada all it might deal with within the international locations’ quarterfinal matchup eventually yr’s world junior hockey championship.
The powerhouse nation trailed 2-0 after the primary interval earlier than tying issues up within the second. Canada was pushing all through the third in one other largely disappointing efficiency at a event riddled with uninspired play.
Then catastrophe struck in Sweden.
Stancl’s effort glanced off Canadian defenceman Oliver Bonk’s stick and the close to put up of goaltender Mathis Rousseau to present the Czechs a 3-2 lead with simply 11.7 seconds remaining in regulation.
Pink-clad followers inside Gothenburg’s Scandinavium enviornment buried faces in fingers. Bonk’s shoulders sank. The 20-time gold medallists would end an unpleasant and unacceptable fifth.
“It is not one thing that is your fault,” Bonk stated wanting again on the sequence. “Or in your management.”
The unlucky 19-year-old blueliner from Ottawa is eager for redemption in his hometown on the 2025 occasion after receiving a torrent of on-line abuse following Canada’s disastrous exit some 12 months in the past.
“You set it behind you,” stated the son of Czech-born former NHLer Radek Bonk, certainly one of 5 returnees on the present roster. “It is hockey and it occurs. It motivates you extra.”
Bonk, whose dad performed 10 seasons within the nation’s capital with the Senators, was a part of a 2024 group that by no means bought in gear underneath the world junior highlight. There have been excessive draft picks, high prospects and star gamers.
For no matter motive, issues did not click on.
“Robust to guage it if you’re in it,” he stated. “We have got to be extra ready, extra aggressive. Thought final yr that we have been perhaps considering it is gonna be given to us and a bit simpler than it truly could be.
“Not an excellent event from Canada.”
Bonk, who scored in Saturday’s 4-2 exhibition victory over Sweden, shook off the frustration and used it as gasoline with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, ending with 24 objectives and 43 assists for 67 factors in 60 video games in 2023-24.
He added 16 factors in 18 playoff contests earlier than chipping in 4 objectives and an help on the Memorial Cup, the place his crew fell simply quick within the last.
“Discovered lots,” Bonk stated of final season. “Went by way of all of it.”
Knights affiliate common supervisor Rob Simpson stated regardless of that on-ice heartache, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect is best for it.
“These experiences are so invaluable, whether or not you win or lose,” he stated. “You’ll be able to all the time take issues away.”
Simpson added that whereas upset with what occurred in Sweden, the place Bonk made Canada’s crew as an underage participant, his skilled method guided him by way of some troublesome moments.
“A really level-headed younger man,” Simpson stated. “I do not assume he rides the highs too excessive and the lows too low. He simply seemed on the event and what he might have performed higher, after which he moved ahead.
“Whether or not he is having an excellent recreation or unhealthy recreation, he can self-assess and may be very self-aware.”
Canadian head coach Dave Cameron stated the nation will lean closely on Bonk.
“He is a sensible child, he is a aggressive child,” stated the veteran bench boss, again in cost for a 3rd time after capturing silver in 2011 and gold in 2022. “You recognize he’ll study from (final event). We’re anticipating large issues.”
“Oliver’s bought some issues to show,” added Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt, who leads the under-20 program.
Simpson stated Bonk’s potential at each ends of the rink comes right down to time and house.
“Is aware of the best way to shield the puck by utilizing his hips or the best way to put his physique right into a place the place he can get out of bother or separate a person,” Simpson stated. “Does not should go in and do it with pace or brawn. It appears to be like calm and affected person. But it surely’s often because he is considering the sport at a really excessive stage.
“A whole lot of occasions it appears to be like simple, but it surely’s not a simple factor to do. Simply actually good.”
Bonk’s dad suited up with the Senators between 1994 and 2004 — previous to his son’s start in January 2005.
The household moved to Czechia after Radek’s NHL profession ended. He would play 5 seasons there earlier than the Bonks put down roots within the nation’s capital in 2014, following the previous centre’s retirement.
Oliver grew to become an enormous Senators fan, with an particularly eager deal with then-Ottawa captain and defenceman Erik Karlsson.
The youthful Bonk now has a chance to chase gold in the identical constructing — and rewrite final yr’s incorrect — when the hosts opens their event Thursday towards Finland on the Canadian Tire Centre.
“A particular expertise,” he stated. “One thing actually, actually uncommon. Gonna attempt to reap the benefits of it.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 22, 2024.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
