University of Minnesota Athletics
Brian Bonin
Men’s Hockey, 1992-96
HOF Class of 2006
One of Minnesota’s most decorated hockey players, Brian Bonin was the school’s third to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s most outstanding player.
Bonin received the honor in 1996 after leading the nation in scoring with 34 goals and 47 assists. The team captain was also a first-team All-American, WCHA Player of the Year, first team All-WCHA and Team MVP in both his junior and senior seasons – the second player ever to win back-to-back league MVP awards and the second Gopher twice named a first-team All-American.
In his four-year career, Bonin’s teams made two NCAA Frozen Four appearances and won three WCHA Playoff Championships. He accumulated 216 career points, sixth-most in school history, and was one of only five players to score 100 goals and 100 assists.
Bonin’s 21-game point-scoring streak during his junior and senior seasons tied for the Gophers’ third longest. In 1996, he was selected as a member of the U.S. Hockey Team that played in the World Championships.Bonin also excelled in the classroom. The chemistry major was a three-time WCHA All-Academic honoree.