The statistics of Marcel Bonin's NHL career barely scratch the surface of his life story.
Bonin, who died Sunday at age 93, is remembered as one of the best puck retrievers of his era on the ice — and a tenacious fighter who overcame paralysis off the ice once his playing career ended.
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Along the way, Bonin won four Stanley Cup championships in a career that spanned nine seasons (1952-62): in 1955 with the Detroit Red Wings, and from 1958-60 with the Montreal Canadiens.
The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Marcel Bonin has passed away at the age of 93.
Marcel began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1952 and won his first Stanley Cup in 1955 with Detroit after his Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the… pic.twitter.com/BXAUi5a3ZN
Bonin was never the star of those teams, though he did average 17 goals and 30 assists in a six-season stretch from 1954-61. The Habs acquired Bonin in 1957 largely for his expert skill in winning puck battles along the boards, setting up his linemates on the league's most powerful offense.
Along with stars Henri Richard and Bernie Geoffrion, Bonin helped the Montreal juggernaut claim the last three of its five consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1956-60.
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In 1959, Bonin scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That postseason, he notched 10 goals and five assists in 11 postseason games.
Bonin's extracurricular activities before, during and after his NHL career arguably earned him more fame during his life.
Marcel Bonin, the Bear of Joliette. The hero of the 1959 playoffs. My great-uncle.
Forever an inspiration, and forever a legend.
Rest in Peace❤️ pic.twitter.com/1htqMegSV5
At age 17, Bonin told author Dick Irvin Jr. for The Habs: An Oral History of the Montreal Canadiens 1940-1980 about the time he wrestled a bear as a 17-year-old.
"A big circus came to town in Joliette (Quebec) and I wrestled a bear," Bonin told Irvin Jr. "Believe it or not, Joe Louis (the heavyweight boxing legend) was the referee because he would do anything then to make money to pay his taxes.
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In another account, Bonin said the bear sat on him after "I came out and gave him a hell of a right hand."
A back injury that persisted throughout Bonin's playing career forced him into retirement at age 29. He underwent career-ending surgery in 1962 that left him unable to move — one account claims for two months, another two years — but he recovered well enough to pursue a post-playing career as a policeman in his home town.
In 454 career games with the Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Canadiens, Bonin scored a total of 97 goals and added 175 assists.
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About the writer
Jon Paul Hoornstra
J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers ...
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