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Uploaded By: PRESIDENT on November 27th, 2015

Joseph Jacques Marcel Bonin - Born September 8, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec is a retired Canadian ice Hockey forward.

Bonin first made a name for himself with the QPHL's Joliette Cyclones in 1949-50.

Turning pro with the Quebec Aces in 1951-52, Bonin established himself as a skilled practitioner of the more physical aspects of the game. Scrappy and determined, he rarely lost a battle for the puck along the boards or in the corner. The rookie picked up 131 penalty minutes, showcasing his pugilistic abilities.

Bonin began the 1951-52 season in Quebec but his rights were soon sent to Detroit. He divided the remainder of the year between the AHL’s St. Louis Flyers and the Red Wings, appearing in his first 37 NHL contests.

Returned to the minors, playing for the Sherbrooke Saints and the Edmonton Flyers, Bonin played only one game with Detroit in 1953-54. He fought his way back to the big leagues, sticking with the Red Wings to start the next season. His rookie campaign would be one to remember, as it ended with a Stanley Cup victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the spring of 1955.

Bonin made his return to Quebec when the Canadiens picked him up in the 1957 inter-league draft. The four and a half years Bonin spent wearing “La Sainte Flanelle” were the best of his Hockey career.

Playing on a line with Jean Beliveau and “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, the stocky Bonin did a lot of the heavy lifting for the Canadiens. Strong in the corners and a precise passer, the robust Bonin also had one of the heaviest hip checks in the league.

Bonin scored 45 goals his first three years with the club. He also excelled in the playoffs especially in 1958-59 when he scored ten goals in eleven matches. Bonin was on hand the following year when the Habs closed out their NHL record five-year reign as Stanley Cup champions.

In 1960-61, Bonin recorded a personal-high 51 points but the club's drive for a sixth straight championship ended in the semi-finals.

Bonin's career was ended following on-ice collision with Red Wings defenceman Pete Goegan on February 9, 1962 resulting in a severe back injury.

Sourced from http://collectionscanada.gc.ca. Credited to Louis Jaques.

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