Brandon Louis Bochenski(born April 4, 1982) is anAmericanformer professionalice hockeyplayer and politician. He played 156 games in theNational Hockey League(NHL) for several teams before serving ascaptainofBarys Astanain theKontinental Hockey League(KHL). Internationally Bochenski represented both theUnited StatesandKazakhstan,playing in severalWorld Championships.In June 2020, Bochenski was elected mayor ofGrand Forks, North Dakota.
Brandon Bochenski | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Bochenski with theBoston Bruinsin 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27thMayor of Grand Forks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office June 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Michael Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Brandon Louis Bochenski April 4, 1982 Blaine,Minnesota,U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Jennifer Helt (m.2007) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | University of North Dakota(BA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing career
editEarly years
editBochenski went toBlaine High Schoolwhere he graduated in 2000. Bochenski was a part of the Blaine Bengals when they defeated theDuluth East Greyhounds6–0 in the 2000 class AA championship. Also in theMinnesota State High School Leaguetournament, Bochenski and the Bengals defeated Rochester Mayo, Hastings and finished the tournament leading the AA in scoring with 7 points.[2]TheSt. Paul Pioneer Pressnamed Bochenski along with teammatesMatt Hendricksand Matt Moore to the second team of the All-State Boys hockey team.[3]
Amateur
editWith theLincoln Starsof theUSHLin 2000–01, Bochenski led the league in goals with 47 and was the single highest goal total in the league over the past 15 years. Playing in 55 games that year, Bochenski had 80 points and was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year.[4]His standout performances were noticed by theOttawa Senatorsand he was subsequently drafted in the seventh round, 223rd overall, in the2001 NHL Entry Draft.Bochenski would then leave the USHL to pursue a collegiate career.
Bochenski was heavily recruited to play college hockey in the NCAA, finally choosing theUniversity of North Dakota.Bochenski went on to spend three seasons withUNDin theWCHA.As a freshman at UND, Bochenski led his team with five game-winning goals and was third in total points. While North Dakota failed to make the NCAA tournament in 2001–02, Bochenski would not fail again leading UND to two NCAA tournaments in his final two years at UND. In each of his final two years at UND, Bochenski led his team in goals, points and power play goals. After the 2003–04 season, Bochenski would sign with theOttawa Senatorswhere he would make his professional hockey debut with theBinghamton Senatorsof theAHL.
Professional
edit
During his first season in the AHL with theBinghamton Senators,Bochenski racked up 34 goals and 36 assists for 70 points in just 75 games. The following year, he only saw action in 33 games, but scored 22 goals and had 24 assists. It would be the2005–06 seasonwhen Bochenski would make his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators.
After being called up from the Senators, Bochenski would debut on October 5, 2005, and go on to play in twenty games. His first NHL point was an assist versus theBuffalo Sabreson October 8, 2005. Just one week later on October 15, 2005, Bochenski would have his first career goal scoring against theBoston Bruins.In a game against theFlorida Pantherson December 15, 2005, Bochenski scored his first careerhat trick.Bochenski would then be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving the Ottawa Senators scoring six goals and assisting on seven others.
On March 9, 2006, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks along with a second round pick in exchange forTyler Arnason.[5]Bochenski would record his first point for the Blackhawks on March 19, 2006, and his first goal on April 1, 2006. Bochenski would go on to play for the Blackhawks in twenty games before helping theNorfolk Admiralsin which he tallied two points in three playoff games. In his twenty appearances in 2005–06, Bochenski would record four points.
In2006–07,Bochenski spent the majority of the year with the Admirals. With Norfolk, Bochenski had a phenomenal year scoring at a torrid pace, 33 goals with 33 assists in just 35 games. After an early January 2007 injury toMartin Havlát,Bochenski was recalled and found more playing time. But on February 3, 2007, the Blackhawks traded him to theBoston BruinsforKris Versteegand a conditional pick.[6]On February 6, 2007, soon after joining to the Bruins, Bochenski scored his first Bruin goal at the five-minute mark of the second period. The game ended in a 3–2 victory after a shootout against theWashington Capitals.
On June 18, 2007, Bochenski signed a one-year deal with theBoston Bruinsfor the2007–08 season.[7]However seldom used as a reserve forward after 20 games with the Bruins on January 2, 2008, the Bruins traded Bochenski to theAnaheim DucksforShane Hnidyand a 6th round pick in the2008 NHL Entry Draft.[8]He played in 12 games with the Ducks with 4 points before he was traded to his third team within the season, theNashville Predators,for future considerations on February 26, 2008.[9]
On July 8, 2008, Bochenski joined his sixth NHL team when he signed as a free agent to a two-year contract with theTampa Bay Lightning.[10]Prior to the2008–09 seasonon September 25, 2008, the Lightning placed Bochenski on waivers for the purpose of sending him toAmerican Hockey Leagueaffiliate team, theNorfolk Admirals.Returning to Norfolk for a second stint, who were formerly affiliates with the Blackhawks, Bochenski was among scoring leaders of the Admirals and often the Lightnings first recall in cases of injury. After two seasons within the Lightning organization, Brandon became the Admirals record goal scoring leader, passingCasey Hankinson76 goals to finish with 81 as well as hold the record for most game-winning goals (15) and power play goals (34).[11]
On May 5, 2010, Bochenski left North America and signed a one-year contract in Russia's top league theKontinental Hockey League,for Barys Astana.[12]
Bochenski was amongst the league's top scorers over the following seven seasons with Barys Astana. On May 29, 2017, despite pleas from Astana to continue with the club, Bochenski opted to retire from professional hockey to concentrate on his family. He left as the top scoring foreign player to compete in the KHL with 397 points in 399 total games.[13]
On July 9, 2018, Bochenski announced his comeback when he signed a one-year deal to return to Barys Astana.[14]In the2018–19 season,Bochenski continued to produce with Barys, contributing with 15 goals and 34 points in 44 games.
Post-playing career
editAt the conclusion of his one-year contract, Bochenski announced his retirement for the second and final time, accepting a position withinBerkshire HathawayHome Services inGrand Forks, North Dakotaon July 15, 2019.[15]
He turned to politics, and on June 9, 2020, was elected the mayor ofGrand Forks, North Dakota,defeating the 20 year incumbent by nearly 18%.[16]
International play
editOn March 24, 2016, theIIHFannounced it had approved a request to allow Bochenski,Nigel DawesandDustin Boydto play forKazakhstanat the2016 IIHF World Championship.[17]
His last international tournament was the2019 Division IA World Championship.Captaining Kazakhstan he helped the team win the tournament and earn promotion to the top level for the2020 World Championship.[18]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998–99 | Blaine High School | HS-MN | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Blaine High School | HS-MN | 28 | 32 | 30 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Lincoln Stars | USHL | 55 | 47 | 33 | 80 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 36 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 43 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | University of North Dakota | WCHA | 41 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Binghamton Senators | AHL | 75 | 34 | 36 | 70 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | Binghamton Senators | AHL | 33 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 20 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 20 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 35 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 31 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 20 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 69 | 27 | 26 | 53 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 42 | 21 | 19 | 40 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 28 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Barys Astana | KHL | 40 | 22 | 23 | 45 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | Barys Astana | KHL | 49 | 27 | 32 | 59 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2012–13 | Barys Astana | KHL | 48 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 22 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 2013–14 | Barys Astana | KHL | 54 | 28 | 30 | 58 | 55 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 14 | ||
| 2014–15 | Barys Astana | KHL | 60 | 20 | 36 | 56 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Barys Astana | KHL | 60 | 20 | 41 | 61 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Barys Astana | KHL | 57 | 17 | 36 | 53 | 76 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | Barys Astana | KHL | 44 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 0 | ||
| KHL totals | 412 | 169 | 237 | 406 | 333 | 43 | 10 | 28 | 38 | 38 | ||||
| AHL totals | 256 | 138 | 138 | 276 | 147 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||
| NHL totals | 156 | 28 | 40 | 68 | 54 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | United States | WC | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | |
| 2016 | Kazakhstan | OGQ | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2016 | Kazakhstan | WC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2017 | Kazakhstan | WC D1A | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2019 | Kazakhstan | WC D1A | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Senior totals | 26 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 16 | |||
Awards and honors
edit| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| USHL | ||
| Rookie of the year | 2000–01 | |
| College | ||
| All-WCHARookie Team | 2001–02 | |
| WCHARookie of the year | 2001–02 | |
| All-WCHASecond Team | 2002–03 | |
| All-WCHAFirst Team | 2003–04 | |
| AHCAWest First-Team All-American | 2003–04 | |
| WCHAAll-Tournament Team | 2004 | [19] |
| AHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2005 | |
| All-Rookie Team | 2005 | |
| KHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2012,2014 | |
| Best Sniper | 2012 | |
References
edit- ^"ENGAGEMENT: Bochenski-Helt".July 2007.
- ^"MNHSL Hockey History".vintageminnesotahockey. 2010-08-18.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"2000 MNHS Second All-Star Team".mnpuck.com.2007-02-03. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-04-08.Retrieved2008-02-04.
- ^"Six USHL Alumni named AHL All-Stars".United States Hockey League.2009-12-30. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-01-10.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"Sens acquire Hawks' Arnason for Bochenski, pick".ESPN.2006-03-09.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"Boston Bruins acquire Brandon Bochenski".Boston Bruins.2007-02-03.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"Bruins, Bochenski agree to contract extension".Boston Bruins.2007-06-18.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"Bear Essentials: B's Make Trade".Boston Bruins.2008-01-02. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-03-06.Retrieved2008-03-04.
- ^"Predators acquire forwards Brandon Bochenski and Jan Hlavac".Nashville Predators.2008-02-26.Retrieved2010-08-19.
- ^"Tampa Bay signs Brandon Bochenski".realgmhockey.com.2008-07-08.Retrieved2010-08-19.
- ^Damian Cristodero (2010-02-16)."Brandon Bochenski reassigned to Norfolk".TampaBay.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-04-25.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"KHL's 6 new signings"(in Russian).Kontinental Hockey League.2010-05-06.Retrieved2010-08-18.
- ^"Bochenski finishes his playing career"(in Russian).Barys Astana.2017-05-29.Retrieved2017-05-29.
- ^Abdrakhmanov, Anuar (July 9, 2018)."Canadian hockey player Brandon Bochenski returns to Barys".The Astana Times.RetrievedJuly 12,2018.
- ^SchlossmanGF (July 15, 2019)."Former UND great Brandon Bochenski retires".Twitter.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
- ^Bowen, Joe; Easter, Sam (June 10, 2020)."UPDATED: After Grand Forks mayoral win, Bochenski spends day sorting messages. 'It feels great,' he says".Grand Forks Herald.Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2020.RetrievedJune 10,2020.
- ^Davide Tuniz (2016-03-24)."IIHF gives green light to Brandon Bochenski, Nigel Dawes and Dustin Boyd to play for Kazakhstan".eurohockey.com.Retrieved2016-03-24.
- ^Merk, Martin (June 10, 2020)."From Kazakh captain to Grand Forks mayor in a year".IIHF.com.RetrievedJune 10,2020.
- ^"WCHA Tourney History".WCHA. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-07-02.Retrieved2014-06-26.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL.com,orEliteprospects.com,orEurohockey.com,orHockey-Reference.com,orThe Internet Hockey Database