Brandon Bochenski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brandon Bochenski
Bochenski in 2024
27th Mayor of Grand Forks
Incumbent
Assumed office June 23, 2020
Preceded by	Michael Brown
Personal details
Born	Brandon Louis Bochenski (1982-04-04) April 4, 1982 (age 43) Blaine, Minnesota, U.S.
Spouse	Jennifer Helt ​ (m. 2007)​
Children	3
Education	University of North Dakota (BA)
Ice hockey career Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) Weight 194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb) Position Right wing Shot Right Played for Ottawa Senators Chicago Blackhawks Boston Bruins Anaheim Ducks Nashville Predators Tampa Bay Lightning Barys Astana National team  United States and  Kazakhstan NHL Draft 223rd overall, 2001 Ottawa Senators Playing career 2004–2019

Brandon Louis Bochenski (born April 4, 1982) is an American who used to play professional ice hockey. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams. Later, he became the captain of Barys Astana in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Brandon also played for both the United States and Kazakhstan in big international tournaments. In June 2020, Brandon Bochenski was elected the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Brandon's Hockey Journey

Starting Out in High School

Brandon Bochenski went to Blaine High School and finished in 2000. He was part of the Blaine Bengals team that won the 2000 state championship. They beat Duluth East 6–0 in the final game.

In that tournament, Brandon was a top scorer. He had 7 points, which was the most in his division. The St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper even named him to their All-State Boys hockey team.

Playing in College

After high school, Brandon played for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. In the 2000–01 season, he scored 47 goals, which was the most in the league for 15 years! He had 80 points in 55 games and was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year.

Because of his great playing, the Ottawa Senators picked him in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was chosen 223rd overall in the seventh round. After this, Brandon decided to play college hockey.

He chose the University of North Dakota (UND). He played three seasons there in the WCHA. In his first year, he led his team with five game-winning goals. He also helped UND get into two NCAA tournaments. In his last two years at UND, he was the top scorer for his team.

Becoming a Professional Player

Bochenski with the Norfolk Admirals.

After college, Brandon signed with the Ottawa Senators. He started his professional career with the Binghamton Senators in the AHL. In his first AHL season (2004–05), he scored 34 goals and had 36 assists, totaling 70 points.

In the 2005–06 season, Brandon made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators. His first NHL point was an assist on October 8, 2005. A week later, he scored his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins. On December 15, 2005, he scored his first career hat trick (three goals in one game) against the Florida Panthers.

He was then traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. He played for the Blackhawks and their AHL team, the Norfolk Admirals. In the 2006–07 season, he had an amazing year with the Admirals, scoring 33 goals and 33 assists in just 35 games.

Brandon was traded a few more times in the NHL. He played for the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators. In 2008, he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent two seasons with the Lightning organization, mostly playing for the Norfolk Admirals. He became the Admirals' record holder for most goals (81) and game-winning goals (15).

Playing in Russia

In 2010, Brandon left North America to play in Russia's top league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He signed a contract with Barys Astana. He became one of the KHL's top scorers for seven seasons.

On May 29, 2017, Brandon decided to retire from professional hockey to spend more time with his family. He was the top foreign player in KHL history, with 397 points in 399 games. However, he came back to play one more season for Barys Astana in 2018–19. He scored 15 goals and had 34 points in 44 games.

Life After Hockey

After his second retirement from hockey in July 2019, Brandon Bochenski started a new career. He took a job with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Then, he entered politics. On June 9, 2020, he was elected the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota. He won against the mayor who had been in office for 20 years! In June 2024, Brandon Bochenski was re-elected as mayor of Grand Forks. He ran for re-election without anyone running against him.

Playing for His Country

Brandon Bochenski played for two different countries in international hockey tournaments. He first played for the United States in the 2007 World Championship.

Later, in 2016, the IIHF allowed him to play for Kazakhstan. He played for Kazakhstan in the 2016 World Championship. His last international tournament was in 2019, where he was the captain for Kazakhstan. He helped his team win and move up to the top level for the 2020 World Championship.

Awards and Honors

Brandon Bochenski received many awards during his hockey career:

• USHL
  • Rookie of the Year: 2000–01
• College (NCAA)
  • All-WCHA Rookie Team: 2001–02
  • WCHA Rookie of the Year: 2001–02
  • All-WCHA Second Team: 2002–03
  • All-WCHA First Team: 2003–04
  • AHCA West First-Team All-American: 2003–04
  • WCHA All-Tournament Team: 2004
• AHL
  • All-Star Game: 2005
  • All-Rookie Team: 2005
• KHL
  • All-Star Game: 2012, 2014
  • Best Sniper Award: 2012