Former Osseo standout Tim Bonner, who has committed to play at Yale, is playing for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL this season. Photo by Helen Nelson
Tim Bonner
It wasn’t that long ago that a statistics sheet would do plenty to prove Tim Bonner’s worth to a hockey team.
In high school, the Osseo graduate filled it almost nightly, to the point that after four years of playing varsity hockey for the Orioles, he graduated in 2011 as the Orioles' all-time leading goal scorer and point producer.
Before then, it was much the same, as his high-powered youth numbers had him debuting with the Osseo varsity as a ninth-grader.
But then came this season, his first in the United States Hockey League, where patience was going to do even more for his pedigree than points.
“I had to figure a lot out in this league, and I knew that coming in,” said Bonner, who has spent the past two-plus months skating for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Neb. “It was a big adjustment for me. The game was just faster. But I’m starting to get more confident, and the points are starting to come.”
In two games with the Storm that week, Bonner racked up five points (three goals, two assists) in two victories over Sioux City. That point total was three more than he had in his previous 23 games.
Tim Bonner, left, graduated from Osseo in 2011 as the Orioles' career leader in goals and points. Courtesy photo
Nine of his current teammates have college commitments locked up. Bonner does as well, and it’s alleviated a lot of stress. A number of his teammates still wonder daily who is watching, and where they may end up.