Jimmy Bonneau can’t wait to start the next chapter of his hockey career.
The former P.E.I. Rocket fan favourite retired from playing at the end of the 2015-16 season. The San Jose Sharks recently hired the 31-year-old Baie-Comeau, Que., native as a pro scout on a one-year contract.
“I’m ready to listen and learn,” Bonneau said Tuesday.
“I’m really, really, really excited to be back with that organization,” he added. “They treated me so good as a player. I enjoyed my time there so much and now for them to show me that kind of confidence . . . is huge for me. I couldn't be more thankful.”
Bonneau said his four seasons with the Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester were among his top experiences as a pro.
He knows some of the guys he will be working with and is looking forward to the new role.
“I’m confident I’m going to love the job and I can be really good at it. It’s definitely a very, very exciting challenge ahead.”
CLICK HERE FOR A STORY ON BONNEAU HANGING UP THE SKATES.
Bonneau played in Charlottetown during the P.E.I. Rocket’s first two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He has played in the ECHL and AHL, but continues to come back to the Island during the offseason.
Bonneau will be moving to Montreal in September and attending the team’s rookie camp and training camp.
He expected to be working with some of the team’s scouting staff to learn the ropes initially before taking on his scouting area, which is in the Quebec, Ontario and New York regions.
Bonneau explored some coaching opportunities, but said scouting for an NHL team was a “dream opportunity” he wanted to pursue. He hasn’t close the door on coaching down the road, but right now he wants to become the best scout he can and help the Sharks.
