BONVIE RETURNS; SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH PENS

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed right wing Dennis Bonvie to a one-year American Hockey League contract, it was announced by Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

The 33 year-old Bonvie is the AHL’s all-time penalty minutes leader at 4,290, and enters the 2007-08 season ranked 25th on the league’s all-time games played list with 821.  He finished the 2006-07 season ranked second among active players in AHL games played, trailing only Binghamton Senators defenseman Terry Virtue (888).

One of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s all-time fan favorites, Bonvie has appeared in 235 regular season games during four seasons with the Penguins, recording 78 points (14+64) and 1,081 penalty minutes.  He holds the team records for career penalty minutes (1,081) and single-season penalty minutes (431 in 2005-06).

Bonvie has also appeared in 34 playoff games with Wilkes- Barre/Scranton,recording five assists and 71 penalty minutes. He was a member of the Penguins’ team which advanced to the Calder Cup Finals against the Saint John Flames in 2001.

A native of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Bonvie was originally signed by the Cape Breton Oilers to an AHL contract prior to the 1993-94 season.  He was signed by the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers as a free agent on August 26, 1994, and made his National Hockey League debut with the team on April 19, 1995 against the Los Angeles Kings.

The 5-11, 205 pound forward has appeared in 92 NHL games with the Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche during his career, recording three points (1+2) and 311 penalty minutes over nine seasons.

A member of the Canadian squad at the 1995 AHL All-Star Game, Bonvie has suited up for the Cape Breton Oilers, Hamilton Bulldogs, Portland Pirates, Philadelphia Phantoms, Providence Bruins, Binghamton Senators, Hershey Bears and Penguins during his AHL career, combining for 269 regular season points (82+187).  He has also posted 36 points (8+28) and 302 penalty minutes in 97 playoff contests.

Season ticket packages for the 2007-2008 season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey are on sale now, and available by contacting the Penguins’ ticketing office at 570-208-7367.

AHL ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LEADERS
Place      Name                                     Years                      Games
21           John Stevens                       1984-99                 834
22           Tim Tookey                           1980-95                 824
23           Bruce Cline                           1955-68                 823
24           Tommy Williams                 1948-64                 822
25           DENNIS BONVIE                   1993-2007            821
26           Mitch Lamoureux                 1982-99                 802
27           Dave Creighton                   1948-69                 800

PENGUINS ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LEADERS 
Place      Name                                     Games
1              Tom Kostopoulos                318        
2              Rob Scuderi                          305        
3              Shane Endicott                    292
4              Ross Lupaschuk                271
5              Matt Hussey                          269
6              Brendan Buckley                 268
7              Colby Armstrong                 251
8              Chris Kelleher                     250
9              Eric Meloche                        249
10           Tomas Surovy                      239
11           DENNIS BONVIE                  235