For Wyatt Bongiovanni, being traded to the Ottawa Senators last March was a career-changing moment. He was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, the team he signed his entry-level contract with in 2022.
"That was a whirlwind of a day. A lot of emotions. A lot of phone calls. I remember that day down to what I had for lunch," Bongiovanni said. "It's ingrained in my memory. I'm very proud of it because it was a bit of a turning point for me in my career."
Since his arrival in the Friendly City, Bongiovanni has tallied 24 goals in 42 games and helped the Belleville Senators win their first playoff series last season. In seven postseason games with the club, he had four points.
"It's been a breath of fresh air for me," he said. "I felt like it was a chance to deliver a new first impression when I got here last spring. I was welcomed with open arms and I've never looked back since. It's been really good."
The 25-year-old forward signed a one-year, two-way contract extension this summer to stay with the Senators organization and continue playing for Belleville head coach David Bell.
"It's definitely a privilege to have a coach's trust and an open line of communication with him," Bongiovanni said. "I feel like our relationship has grown since day one. It's been nice to see. I think I am still earning my way and the minutes that I get. I don't take it lightly, so nothing but good things to say about our relationship. When you have the coach's trust, it makes the game a lot less stressful."
Bongiovanni, who grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, appreciates the small-town feel of Belleville.
"It's really pleasant. The nights are really quiet, the stars are out," he said. "It's a different change of pace for me, but I've come to really like it."
“I really didn't know much about Belleville other than playing the odd games here with Manitoba. When I arrived here, the boys were great and made the adjustment much easier.”
“I find everywhere that I've gone to play hockey, and it's taken me many places, you find your spots and places that make you happy, the restaurants that you like to go to, the coffee shops and it's the little things along the way. The bonds that you make with your teammates and the friendships that you make, you can lean on those."
Before signing with the Jets as a college free agent, Bongiovanni developed his game at Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut, while studying Entrepreneurship and small business management.
Bongiovanni spent four seasons with the Bobcats, recording 50 goals and 90 points in 123 games. He was a two-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic and made the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team.
He also played for legendary coach Rand Pecknold, who has built the Bobcat’s program over a thirty-year tenure.
Pecknold was a major influence on Bongiovanni.
“My time at Quinnipiac was unbelievable. I'm forever grateful to Rand for the opportunities he gave me, and the opportunities he put in place for our team, and just the culture of success that he established from day one. He's super detailed. It's about time he gets national recognition.
Quinnipiac won the 2023 National Championship, with Pecknold at the helm. Bongiovanni was extremely happy for his former coach.
“When I saw them win that game, it was extremely emotional for me and I was just watching. I can't take credit for anything that they did that year, that's the 25 guys in that locker room. But I do like to think that we built a culture and the years before my class, it was a culmination of everyone's effort to get the program to where it could thrive in a situation like that. A real proud moment. I think everyone who has been a Quinnipiac Bobcat felt like they were part of that one."
Bongiovanni served as team captain in his senior season and was an alternate as a junior.
"It's definitely a privilege to have your peers vote you captain and then to lead your team to some success. It's a really powerful thing. It goes a long way, you learn a lot of life lessons, and you learn how to be a leader and it carries on into pro hockey as well."
Pecknold built Quinnipiac from a small Division II program into a college hockey powerhouse. When he took over as head coach in 1994, he was still a full-time history teacher at North Haven High School.
"It's a standard that he set and it's a trickle-down effect," Bongiovanni said. "I remember going there my freshman year. I'm learning. I'm young. I didn't know everything and even though I thought maybe I did know everything. I had great senior leadership. The classes above me. They set the tone for how you carry yourself in public, how you carry yourself around your team, locker room on the ice, off the ice."
"Quinnipiac was a somewhat small community and people know who you are. Hockey is a big deal there and the way you represent the program and the way you represent yourself is seen. I think we learn the value of that. That character stuff doesn't leave you. You learn it and it goes a long way."
While Bongiovanni takes pride in his accomplishments, he’s quick to credit his teammates and coaches for his success.
"I'd say good job. I'd say keep it up and trust your effort. Trust your daily process. I did a lot of learning over the years," he said. "I felt like my ability to be a sponge and not have a big ego about my game or my persona, helped me learn from people who were better than me. When you can take the things that are your weaknesses build on those and continue to just push the envelope that will take you places."
Wherever he has played Bongiovanni has demonstrated high character. His team-first attitude and scoring touch ensure that he will continue to fit right in with the Senators' organization.
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