Peter Bondra (Slovak pronunciation: eter ‘bondra]; born on 7 February 1968) is a Ukraine-born Slovak former professional ice hockey player. As the team’s general manager, he was a part of the Slovakia national team from 2007 until 2011. A two-time 50 goal scorer, Bondra was the 37th person in National Hockey League (NHL) history to achieve 500 NHL goals. Bondra scored the lowest number of points among the players who have reached the milestone with 892. Bondra scored the most goals in NHL during two seasons, in 1994 and 1997. Bondra is among the few players who scored 5 or more goals one game in the NHL.
Life and family
Bondra is born the year 1968 at Bakivtsi, Lutsk Raion, Ukraine, which was then region of Soviet Union. His father (a Rusyn) had moved to Lutsk from Jakubany, Czechoslovakia, when the age of 16 was where he met his wife (a Pole). The family moved together Peter as well as his older brothers, Juraj and Vladimir, to Poprad when Peter was just three years old. His father passed away in 1982.
Bondra was a Soviet citizen when he first arrived at America. United States, later obtaining the Slovak visa and citizenship before the commencement in 1994’s Winter Olympics qualifying tournament. After having lived in Crofton, Maryland, Bondra resides in Riva together with his spouse Luba and their daughter Petra and their brothers David and Nick. He has participated in numerous alumni events and has also played in games with the current Capitals team. His Son David plays forward for Bratislava Capitals and also plays for Slovak national team, similar to his father. His other son, Nick started his college track at Amherst College in 2017.
Professionally active
Bondra was a player for one season with HK Poprad in the lower ranks of Czechoslovak league, before being was then transferred into VSZ Kosice in the First Division at the age of 18. His brother Juraj also played on defense, having already won one championship title as a player with the team the prior year. When he was in his second campaign playing for Kosice, Peter was considered as one of the best players in the Czechoslovak league. He was also the winner of the league championship with his brother in 1988.
National Hockey League
Bondra was selected to the Washington Capitals in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, 156th overall. Before joining the Capitals Bondra was a player for TJ VSZ Kosice (now called HC Kosice) for four seasons from 1986 to 1991 in Czechoslovakia. While in Washington, Bondra became one of the top goal-scorers during the 90s. Because of the difficulty in communicating, he became very close with Ukrainian-born Capitals player Dmitri Kristich and he would converse in both Russian and Ukrainian. His longest playoff run came in 1997-98 during which the Capitals made it towards the Stanley Cup Finals before being defeated by Detroit’s Detroit Red Wings. In the 2003-04 season, Bondra’s 14th with Washington, the Capitals endured a disappointing year and, as part of a salary-cutting move traded veteran members of the team to rivals. This led to Bondra was traded with Ottawa Senators. Ottawa Senators for Brooks Laich and an undrafted second round pick. The press conference to announce the deal, Bondra notably broke into tears.
Have a look at list of world famous sports with their rules:
- Charreria & it’s rules
- Cheerleading
- Chess & it’s ruless
- Chilean Rodeo
- Chinlone
- Cirit
- Cliff Diving
- Cockfighting
- Coleo
In 14 years with the Capitals, Bondra scored 472 goals and collected 353 assists during 961 games. He holds the Capitals team records in small-handed goal goals (32). Alongside Washington Bondra was a participant on five All-Star Games (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 in 1999 and 1997). Between 1997 and 1999 Bondra took home The Fastest Skater Competition on the All-Star Weekend. In 2004, the Capitals held a vote for fans to choose the top 30 players of franchise history in celebration of their 30th season as a team. Bondra was second having received 2,018 votes. In the final, Olaf Kolzig, beat Bondra by just 20 votes.
In 1994-95 (with 34 goals scored in a lockout shortened season) along with the 1997-98 period (with the 52), Bondra led the league in goals scored, even though Bondra did not win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for the most goals scored during a season did not exist up until 1998-99.
Following the 2004-05 NHL season was postponed because of negotiations over the NHL labour dispute Bondra played a handful of games for HK Tatravagonka SKP Poprad of the Slovak Extraliga. Prior to the 2005-06 campaign, Bondra was in talks to rejoin the Capitals but Bondra ended up signing with the Atlanta Thrashers for one season.
On the 10th of December, Bondra agreed to sign a 1-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. On December 22, 2006, he recorded his 500th NHL career goal at the United Center, in Chicago’s 3-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bondra drove towards the net and scored the rebound of Jassen Cullimore’s shot from the left side past Toronto’s Jean-Sebastien Aubin, 6:37 into 3rd period on the power play. Bondra was the 37th player in the history of the league to score 500 goals and the fourth player to make 500 goals in the Blackhawks uniform, joining Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Michel Goulet.
On the 29th of October, 2007, Bondra declared his resignation from hockey in 39. Since retiring, Bondra has represented Colosseo USA the Slovak firm that manufactures custom video scoreboards.
International play
Bondra has played for Slovakia on seven occasions in international competitions. These include during the 1994 Winter Olympics qualifying tournament, the 1998 Winter Olympics, the 2006 Winter Olympics, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2002 and 2003. He scored a tournament-leading seven goals (including the winning goal of the tournament) and was ranked third out of the players who scored nine points. This helped lead Slovakia 4-3 over Russia to the victory at 2002’s World Championship. He notched 5 points (three goals 2 assists) in eight games, which helped Slovakia get an Olympic bronze at 2003’s World Championship. In all, he played 47 games and scored 35 goals for Slovakia.
Important links: Which country did the sport of curling originate | Steve Smith Birthday | Grant Hackett Birthday
