Bonello, the NHL’s Director of Central Scouting from 1988-2005, died Wednesday at the age of 91
Frank Bonello 1958 Whitby Dunlops – Photo Michael Burns Senior – courtesy Hockey Hall of Fame
Cambridge, ON – Bonello played his junior career playing with the Galt Black Hawks of the OHA in 1952-53 before competing for both the Chatham Maroons and Whitby Dunlops Senior A programs, winning the world title with the Dunlops in Oslo, Norway in 1958.
Bonello was general manager and served brief stints as head coach of the OHL’s Toronto Marlboros over a span of 17 years from 1971-88, steering the franchise to Memorial Cup titles in 1973 and 1975. Bonello replaced close friend Jim Gregory as Director of NHL Central Scouting in 1988, a post he held until 2005.
Joining forces with coach George Armstrong through the early years of his Marlies tenure, Bonello’s teams (mostly with Leafs legend George Armstrong behind the bench) developed such names as Mark Howe, Bruce Boudreau, John Tonelli, Mark Napier and John Anderson.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman credited Bonello for expanding the Central Scouting department’s scope “exponentially” during a significant period of domestic and international growth for the league.
Most of the players from that championship Whitby Dunlops side are gone now, including NHL and Team Canada management legend Harry Sinden, future Whitby Mayor Bob Attersley and former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Sid Smith. Those who are left, such as Wally Maxwell and John Henderson, are in the 90s.
