Bonin's
National Hockey League career began in
1952 after the Red Wings bought his contract from the
Quebec Aces of the
Quebec Senior Hockey League. On June 3, 1955, Bonin was dealt in a blockbuster trade to the
Boston Bruins along with teammates
Terry Sawchuk,
Vic Stasiuk and
Lorne Davis in exchange for
Ed Sandford,
Réal Chevrefils,
Norm Corcoran,
Gilles Boisvert and
Warren Godfrey. After a single season with the Bruins, Bonin returned to the Quebec Aces for a season before being claimed by the
Montreal Canadiens in the
1957 NHL Intra-League Draft. Bonin won the
Stanley Cup four times, doing so in 1955 with Detroit and in 1958, 1959, and 1960 with Montreal. Bonin's career was ended following an on-ice collision with Red Wings defenceman
Pete Goegan on February 9, 1962, resulting in a severe back injury. ==Death==