(Twitter/NickBonino)
Nick Bonino scored in the first period of the Penguins’ 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final on Monday. He sealed the win for his team with another empty-net goal in the third period.
Bonino has become a familiar face to Penguins’ fans after getting traded to the team from Vancouver in July 2015.
Off the ice, the 29-year-old forward is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauren and their daughter, Maisie.
Here’s more on Bonino’s wife and their life together:
1. Lauren Is a Former Boston University Women’s Hockey Player
Lauren and Bonino share a love for hockey. As a former player, Lauren has a vast knowledge of the game. She played for the women’s hockey team at Boston University on scholarship.
“She’s the hockey player in our relationship,” Bonino told Canucks TV with a smile.
Bonino, who also attended Boston University, played on the men’s hockey team. While in college, he scored the tying goal with 17.4 seconds left in regulation in their comeback victory against Miami (Ohio) in the 2009 national championship game.
Lauren studied Communications while in college. In a 2008 interview with Terriers Nation, Lauren was recognized as the Terriers’ athlete of the week after scoring five goals in two games. Lauren gave much of the credit to her teammates.
“I can’t take all the credit,” Lauren said in the interview. “My team— they’re working hard, and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, and put it away.”
2. The Couple Met on their First Day of Class at Boston University
Lauren and Bonino met their freshman year at Boston University on the first day of class. In an interview with Canucks TV, Lauren revealed that Nick walked her to her first class.
“Romantic,” Bonino commented after his wife recounted the story.
Before his college career, Bonino attended Farmington High School in Connecticut. Lauren is from St. Albert in Alberta.
The two became engaged on July 1, 2013, and married in 2014.
3. Lauren & Bonino Have a Daughter
The holiest of hockey baptisms. #StanleyCup t.co/QJcGnlZsy7
Lauren and Bonino’s first child, Maisie, was born on January 5, 2016. Although she was only five months old, Maisie saw her father win the Stanley Cup in 2016. Bonino, who often shares photos of his family on social media, posted a variety of photos of Maisie rooting for the Penguins.
Maisie attended her first NHL game on February 27 to see the Penguins outplay the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.
4. Lauren Moved With Bonino to Support His NHL Career
Hope everyone has a great Valentine’s Day! I know I will hanging out with this beautiful lady! http://t.co/rcTzzy9crw
Like most NHL families, Lauren and Bonino have seen their share of moves.
Bonino was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was later traded to the Anaheim Ducks with goaltender Timo Pielmeier in exchange for Travis Moen and Kent Huskins on March 4, 2009.
Bonino made his NHL debut on March 26, 2010 with Lauren cheering him on.
After a breakout season in 2013–14 in which he scored 22 goals and 27 assists, Bonino was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. In an interview with Canucks TV, Lauren and Bonino shared the benefits of living in Vancouver.
“It’s one of the better cities to visit– there’s so much good food, there’s stuff to do, you’re right on the water,” Bonino explained. “You like it for those reasons, but when you get here and you’re actually living here, you realize how much more [there is].”
Nearly a year after being traded to Vancouver, Bonino and Lauren had to pack up again. This time to Pittsburgh when the forward was traded to the Penguins.
It proved the be a successful first year in Pittsburgh. Bonino’s play in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs was crucial in the Pens winning the Stanley Cup. Bonino led the team in assists with 19, and scored 18 goals in the postseason, including the game-winner against the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Along with his line mates, Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin, the trio was nicknamed the HBK line and commended for their strong play during the playoffs.
5. Her Husband’s Contract Is Worth $5.7 Million
(Twitter/NickBonino)
Bonino’s three-year $5.7 million contract is coming to a close. The center, who earned $2.1 million for the 2016-17 season, will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Bonino, who hasn’t seen as much production in this year’s playoffs, has four goals and three assists entering Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
As Bonino’s team vies to win the Cup for the second year in a row, one thing is for certain– his wife, Lauren and daughter will be cheering him on.
