In the 1994-95 shortened 48-game season, one player on the Ottawa Senators who made their NHL debut was Radek Bonk at 19 years old. Bonk was on the Senators roster when they were deeply struggling and looking for a breakthrough for success.
It wouldn't be until 1997 when Bonk and the Senators started to compete in the NHL with making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In 1998, the Senators won their first playoff series in franchise history with Bonk on the team.
Bonk would become a staple of the Senators' depth and become an underappreciated player on the roster for many seasons. With his hard work and being a part of the Senators' success, Bonk deserves a chance to get recognition from the Senators.
How Bonk could have chance to make Senators Ring of Honour
In his 14-year career, Bonk spent the first 10 of them with the Senators. After missing the playoffs in 1995 and 1996 in his first two years on the team, the Senators made the playoffs every year from 1997-2004 with Bonk on the team.
2000 and 2001 were the first two years when Bonk showed his importance to the Senators by making the All-Star Game in back-to-back years. Bonk recorded back-to-back 23-goal seasons and recorded 119 points in the two seasons combined.
The 2001-02 season was the best season in Bonk's career. Bonk set career highs with 25 goals, 45 assists and 70 points. In 2003, Bonk was a solid contributor with recording 54 points in the year the Senators clinched the President's Trophy.
2003 ended brutal for Bonk when he and the Senators were eliminated in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New Jersey Devils. Most fans might remember Bonk most by scoring a goal to tie Game 7 at two early into the third period against the Devils, but the Senators couldn't finish the series with losing the game 3-2.
The 2003-04 season was Bonk's final in Ottawa when he recorded 44 points. After the 2005 NHL lockout, Bonk played two seasons each with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators.
In the end, Bonk's numbers in Senators history are solid for not being viewed highly by many. Bonk's 689 games are the fifth most in Senators history. Bonk is also top 10 in Senators history in goals, assists and points. Bonk also helped the Senators reach the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons.
Playing a decade with one team and recording 399 points while being an underappreciated player on helping a franchise make the playoffs for eight consecutive years might be one that needs recognition. That is where Bonk could be inducted into the Senators Ring of Honour to get the recognition he deserves.