Radovan Bondra

June 2019 – Bondra did not receive an entry level contract from the Blackhawks which means he becomes a free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

August 2018 – Bondra was invited to prospects camp again this year. The Blackhawks are hoping for a bounce back season from the giant Slovakian winger. Slowed by injuries last year, Bondra can regain his standing in the ever deepening pool of prospects by performing well at the AHL level this year. Tony Carr

December 2017- Bondra has had a difficult season to judge so far. Starting in the WHL, he played one game before signing an AHL contract where he was promptly sent down to the Indy Fuel of the ECHL. Bondra only produced one goal in 11 games before being recalled to Rockford where he hasn’t seen any action in two weeks. Tony Carr

January 2017- After representing Slovakia for a third straight World Junior Championship, Bondra has been traded from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL to the Prince George Cougars, where he has continued scoring at a point-per-game pace. He recently netted his 20th goal on the season – the first time in his career he has reached that mark.~ Tony Carr

April 2016 – Bondra spent the 2015-16 season playing for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, where he tallied 15 goals and 15 assists in 58 games. This was the first season in North America for the hulking winger after playing 2014-15 amongst men in the Slovakian Extraleague. He also played for the Slovakian team in the 2016 WJHC where he notched just one goal in five games. Bondra has had the unfortunate task of growing up as a hockey player in Slovakia with the same last name as the great Peter Bondra. He is not directly related, however, as the name is purely coincidental.

Despite not putting up gaudy offensive numbers this past season, the Blackhawks may have found themselves a gem in the fifth round. Bondra immediately jumps off the screen with his 6-5, muscular frame. He has all the makings of a prototypical power forward at the NHL level, as he skates pretty well and has a decent shot. Scouts do question his hockey IQ at times, but he will be given lots of time to develop his hockey sense in the Blackhawks’ system as they notoriously bring prospects along slowly. Look for Bondra to play 2016-17 in the WHL and take on a larger role for Slovakia as a 19 year-old at the WJHC. Matt Donohue