GIANTS ALUMNI: Former Asst. GM/Coach Craig Bonner in WCF with Dallas, Facing Kane & Kulak on Oilers
Langley, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants don’t just advance players to the next level, but staff as well.
In addition to Evander Kane and Brett Kulak making the Western Conference Final with the Edmonton Oilers, competing against them off the ice is former Giants Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach Craig Bonner, who won a WHL Championship with Vancouver in 2006 and a Memorial Cup in 2007.
Bonner is currently the Head Professional Scout for the Dallas Stars. He is in his eighth season with the Stars, having served as a professional scout since joining the team’s front office in 2015-16. Since being promoted to Head Professional Scout in 2021-22, the Stars have made the Western Conference Finals twice. In his expanded role, Bonner coordinates the club’s professional scouting initiatives, including covering the NHL, American Hockey League (AHL) and European pro tournaments.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Bonner, 52, was the Asst. Coach/GM with the Giants for five seasons, from 2002-07. He then went on to spend nine season with the Kamloops Blazers in various roles. As a player, Bonner played three seasons of professional hockey from 1993-96. He also played five seasons with the Blazers in the WHL, recording 130 points (29-101—130) in 250 career games from 1989-93.
Kane & Kulak Look to Help Oilers to First Finals Appearance Since 2006
Former Giants Evander Kane and Brett Kulak helped the Oilers take down the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs and are now into the third round for the second time in three seasons (2022 and 2024).
So far in the playoffs, Kane has seven points (4G-3A) in 12 games. In the 2022 post-season, Kane had 13 goals and 17 points in 15 games. The forward was tied for most goals that postseason and first with 0.87 goals per game (minimum eight games).
In NHL.com’s Western Conference Final Preview, Kane is listed as the Oilers X-Factor for the series.
As a Giant, Kane played two full seasons (2007-09), jumping from 24 goals and 41 points in his rookie season to 48 goals and 96 points in 2008-09, which led to him being the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. With 73 career goals as a Giant, Kane ranks 12th in all-time goals for the franchise.
Kulak, 30, played in all 82 games for the Oilers for the second straight year, recording three goals and 16 points.
So far in the playoffs, the Edmonton, AB native has four points (1G-3A) in 12 games, with a +3 rating. In the 2022 post-season, Kulak had five assists and a +7 rating in 16 games.
As a Giant, Kulak played three full seasons (2011-14), culminating in a standout 60-point campaign in 2013-14, during which he was also an alternate captain. He was selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
