Brad Bombardir

Luke Bradley Bombardir (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators in the NHL. He currently serves as the Minnesota Wild's Director of Player Development and Senior Director of Community Relations.

Playing career

Amateur

Growing up in British Columbia, Bombardir played junior hockey with the Powell River Paper Kings in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League from 1988 until 1990.<ref name="EP">Template:Cite web</ref> As a result of his play, in which he recorded 10 goals and 25 assists in 60 games, Bombardir was selected in the third round, 56th overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He did not expect to be drafted and thus showed up at BC Place in a T-shirt and faded jeans instead of a suit and tie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Prior to the draft, Bombardir was expected to enrol at the University of North Dakota but considered playing in the Western Hockey League for the Victoria Cougars.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Professional

After graduating from the University of North Dakota with a degree in economic development, Bombardir began his professional career with the Albany River Rats in the American Hockey League (AHL).<ref name="Gallagher">Template:Cite news</ref> In 1996, his second year with the team, Bombardir was selected for the American Hockey League All-Star team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While entering his third professional season, an NHL lockout happened and Devils assistant coach Larry Robinson spent six weeks training the AHL team. When reflecting on the ordeal, Bombardir said: "I learned more from him in those six weeks than from any other coach."<ref name="Gallagher"/> However, Bombardir suffered a broken leg while chasing the puck and missed most of the 1996–1997 season.<ref name="Gallagher"/> He returned to the lineup for the 1997–98 season where he made his NHL during a 4–1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Coach Jacques Lemaire praised Bombardir after his debut, saying: "He played well. He was in control...We were confident when he was on the ice."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On April 15, 1998, Bombardir recorded his first career NHL goal in a 5–4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the 1999–2000 season, Bombardir made his NHL post-season debut while Scott Niedermayer was suspended.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Devils eventually won the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals and he brought the Cup to Powell River.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His play during the 2000–01 season earned him a three-year contract extension with the Wild after he posted a career-high 15 assists.<ref name="career">Template:Cite news</ref> As well, although the Wild had been rotating captains each month, Bombardir became the first to serve two consecutive months in January and February.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2001, Bombardir fractured his right ankle and was expected to miss two months to recover. The injury occurred during a 3–3 tie with the Edmonton Oilers when he was smashed into the boards by Ethan Moreau.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the time of the injury, Bombardir was playing 25 minutes a game, more than any Wild player.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upon returning to the team's lineup, he recorded his first goal in 104 games during a 5–3 win over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on February 28, 2002.<ref name="career"/>

Bombardir returned to the Wild for the 2003–04 season where he was again named captain of the team in January.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February, Bombardir and Sergei Zholtok were traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third and fourth-round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Post-career

In September 2006, Bombardir accepted a full-time position as the director of community partnerships for the Minnesota Wild.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following this, Bombardir was appointed Director of Player Development in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Bombardir and his wife Heather have three children together.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1988–89	Powell River Paper Kings	BCJHL		30	6	5	11	24		6	0	0	0	0
1989–90	Powell River Paper Kings	BCJHL		60	10	35	45	93		8	2	3	5	4
1990–91	University of North Dakota	WCHA		33	3	6	9	18		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	University of North Dakota	WCHA		35	3	14	17	54		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	University of North Dakota	WCHA		38	8	15	23	34		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	University of North Dakota	WCHA		38	5	17	22	38		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Albany River Rats	AHL		77	5	22	27	22		14	0	3	3	6
1995–96	Albany River Rats	AHL		80	6	25	31	63		3	0	1	1	4
1996–97	Albany River Rats	AHL		32	0	8	8	6		16	1	3	4	8
1997–98	Albany River Rats	AHL		5	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	New Jersey Devils	NHL		43	1	5	6	8		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	New Jersey Devils	NHL		56	1	7	8	16		5	0	0	0	0
1999–2000	New Jersey Devils	NHL		32	3	1	4	6		1	0	0	0	0
2000–01	Minnesota Wild	NHL		70	0	15	15	42		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Minnesota Wild	NHL		28	1	2	3	14		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Minnesota Wild	NHL		58	1	14	15	16		4	0	0	0	0
2003–04	Minnesota Wild	NHL		56	1	2	3	21		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Nashville Predators	NHL		13	0	0	0	4		6	0	1	1	2
2005–06	Springfield Falcons	AHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals				195	11	55	66	91		33	1	7	8	18
NHL totals				356	8	46	54	127		16	0	1	1	2

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992	Canada	WJC		7	0	3	3	4

See also

• Captain (ice hockey)

External links

• Template:Ice hockey stats