Third Bulldog Hockey Senior In Kyle Bonis Makes Pro Debut After Inking AHL Contract

Big Rapids, Mich. - A third senior from Ferris State University's 2012-13 men's ice hockey squad has inked a professional contract as wing Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, Ontario), who served as the Bulldogs' team captain this past season, has joined the defending American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Champions in the Norfolk Admirals.

Bonis was announced as an official club member per an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) on Friday and made his professional debut last night while recording an assist in Norfolk's exciting 5-4 overtime victory over the division-leading Syracuse Crunch at the Norfolk Scope Arena (Va.).

The 5-11 Bonis recently concluded his senior season at Ferris State where he led the Bulldogs with 19 goals and 27 points in 37 games while serving as team captain. The 24-year-old native of Lindsay, Ontario, also led the team in multi-point games (8), multi-goal games (4), and game-winning goals (3). 

Bonis played in 136 collegiate games with the Bulldogs, recording 47 goals and 77 points. He was a key member of the 2011-12 FSU team that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four and the national championship game.  Bonis claimed Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Honorable Mention laurels this season and was an NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team selection last year.

The undrafted center was nominated this season for both the prestigious Hobey Baker Award and is a national finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which honors NCAA men's ice hockey student-athletes who excel both on and off the ice. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

With the Friday night win, the Admirals closed to within two points of the Hershey Bears for the eighth and final spot in the AHL's Eastern Conference playoff race with 10 games remaining in the regular season. 

Norfolk hosts Syracuse again on Saturday night.

Bonis is the third Bulldog senior from this past season to sign professionally since the conclusion of the collegiate campaign as he joins former teammates Eric Alexander and Matthew Kirzinger, who both signed last week.  Alexander is playing with the South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) while Kirzinger signed with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps.