| Born: | Apr 4, 1982 | Draft: | 2001 Senators, 223rd Overall |
| Hometown: | Blaine, Minnesota | Position: | Right Wing |
| Known For: | 2x KHL All-Star Game | Shoots: | Right |
| National Team: | United States/Kazakhstan | Current Status: | Retired |
Brandon Bochenski (born April 4, 1982) is a former American ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009-2010 season. Drafted 223rd overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Bochenski was a stand-out at the United States Hockey League (USHL) level, earning an invite to the All-Star Game as the league’s Rookie of the Year. Following his draft, he committed to the University of North Dakota for three years, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in his final season. Following a full season with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Binghamton Senators, Bochenski made his debut in the NHL during the 2005-06 season. After registering six goals and seven assists in 20 games, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Tyler Arnason.
Bochenski dressed for four different teams in the following two seasons, appearing in games for the Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators. His best run statistically came during his short stint with the Bruins in the 2006-07 season when he amassed 22 points in 31 games. After failing to follow up that performance in the following season, he was traded not once, but twice, ending up in Nashville and finishing his season with three goals and ten assists in 40 games. In the off-season, he signed a two-year deal with the Lightning, but played just 35 games in the two seasons combined. At the AHL level, he was among the goal-scoring leaders and often the Lightning’s first call-up, but was never capable of establishing himself as a full-time NHL player.
Bochenski signed a one-year deal with Barys Astana, the Kazakhstan team in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), bringing his run in the NHL to an end. In eight seasons, Bochenski not only re-gained his scoring touch, but he became one of the best foreign goal-scorers in the league. Producing a point-per-game in five of his eight seasons, he helped propel Barys Astana into the postseason in all but one season, and led the league in goals in 2012 with 27. After a brief retirement of one year to focus on family priorities, Bochenski returned for one more year, amassing 34 points in 44 games during the regular season and adding 13 points in 12 games during his final post-season appearance. Post-retirement, he now serves as the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Brandon Bochenski Statistics
Deeper Dive
Achievements
- USHL First All-Star Team (2001)
- USHL Rookie of the Year (2001)
- NCAA (WCHA) All-Rookie Team (2002)
- NCAA (WCHA) Rookie of the Year (2002)
- NCAA (WCHA) Second All-Star Team (2003)
- NCAA (WCHA) All-Tournament Team (2004)
- NCAA (WCHA) First All-Star Team (2004)
- NCAA (West) First All-American Team (2004)
- NCAA Top Collegiate Player (Hobey Baker Award) Finalist (2004)
- AHL All-Rookie Team (2005)
- AHL All-Star Game (2005)
- AHL Rookie of the Month (February, 2005)
- AHL Player of the Week (Nov. 26, 2007)
- 2x KHL All-Star Game (2012, 2014)
- KHL Most Goals (27) (2012)
- KHL Forward of the Month (December, 2014)
- KHL Most Game-Winning Goals (7) (2014)
- KHL Forward of the Week (Oct. 11, 2016)
- KHL Most Points by Foreigner (61) (2016)
- World Championship (D1A) Bronze Medal (2017)
- World Championship (D1A) Gold Medal (2019)