Former Powell River Kings star and longtime NHL defenceman Brad Bombardir has been named the Minnesota Wild's Director of Player Development, the club announced Friday.
Brad is an original Paper King playing two seasons in his hometown and is the only player in franchise history to have his number retired. His #5 hangs in the rafters at the Hap Parker Arena. He had already been working in the Wild's fron office as the team's Senior Director of Community Relations — a position he will keep moving forward.
The 38-year old will begin his duties immediately and will join Wild management in Los Angeles today for the NHL Draft. In his new position, Bombardir will be charged with being the liaison between Wild management and the team's prospects in Houston and the amateur ranks. He will be responsible for evaluating and implementing programs to help continue their development.
Bombardir was a member of the franchise’s inaugural team and played a total of 212 games in a Wild sweater. During his run in Minnesota, he was named the monthly captain a franchise-record seven times, and helped in the development of young defensemen such as Willie Mitchell and Nick Schultz. Bombardir also played an active role in all of the team’s community relation’s affairs making appearances at schools and hospitals, along with participating in the organization’s charitable activities.
Originally drafted by the Devils in the third round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Bombardir played 356 games during his eight years in the NHL with New Jersey, Minnesota and Nashville. He made his NHL debut with the Devils during the 1997-98 campaign, and captured a Stanley Cup championship in his third season with New Jersey in 1999-2000.
Prior to reaching the NHL, Bombardir played four years of college hockey at North Dakota of the WCHA from 1990-94. He also spent three seasons (1994-1997) with Albany of the American Hockey League, and helped the River Rats win the 1995 Calder Cup.
