Former Penguins forward Nick Bonino to rejoin team in coaching role

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bonino has retired as a player and will be rejoining the Penguins as a coach.

That career change was announced by Bonino in a video posted to the Facebook page of his most recent team, HK Olimpija Ljubljana, a Slovenian squad that competes in the International Central European Hockey League (ICEHL).

“I just wanted to officially announce I’ll be retiring from professional hockey,” Bonino said in the video. “Had a really unique opportunity come up to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins. Something that we thought was the best move for our family at this time. Tough decision because we had an absolute blast in Ljubljana. Everyone was so welcoming to us. We can’t thank the fans enough for all the support.”

The specific nature of Bonino’s role with the Penguins is not publicly known. No announcement of Bonino’s hiring has been made by the team. A Penguins spokesperson declined to comment when asked for clarity.

Bonino, 37, was a well-regarded member of the Penguins during his playing career. As center of the famed HBK Line — he skated with wingers Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel — Bonino helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

After leaving as a free agent in the 2017 offseason, Bonino skated for the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks before rejoining the Penguins at the 2023 trade deadline. His second tenure with the Penguins was cut short, however, as he was limited to three games due to a lacerated kidney.

In total, Bonino played in 146 games for the Penguins and scored 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) while averaging 16:10 of ice time per contest.

A sixth-round draft pick (No. 173 overall) of the Sharks in 2007, Bonino also played for the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers during his NHL career.

Bonino, a native of Hartford, Conn., signed with HK Olimpija Ljubljana in November. In 22 games with that team this past season, he scored 17 points (six goals, 11 assists). He had planned on a second season with HK Olimpija Ljubljana after signing a contract extension as recently as April 27.

The Penguins’ coaching staff was left mostly barren after the departure of former head coach Mike Sullivan on April 28.

Assistant coaches Ty Hennes and David Quinn followed Sullivan to Manhattan after he was hired as head coach of the New York Rangers. Another assistant coach, Mike Vellucci, joined the Chicago Blackhawks.

Of the incumbent coaching staff, only goaltending coach Andy Chiodo and video coach Madison Nikkel remain.

On June 11, president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas indicated Nikkel would remain with the team. New head coach Dan Muse had yet to make a decision on the future of Chiodo whose contract was not renewed following the 2024-25 season.

Muse was an assistant coach with the Predators and Rangers during Bonino’s tenure with those clubs.