West Chester, Ohio’s Johnny Bonta was a beloved hockey player for the Toledo Mobsters. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2025, at the age of 29.
His untimely demise has left a profound impact on his family, friends, teammates, and the entire ice hockey community.
Highlights
- Johnny Bonta’s parents named him John Bonta and raised him alongside his brother, Jacob.
- His life was tragically cut short at the age of 29 on January 23, 2025.
- His brother left playing hockey and pursued a career as a proven marketing and sales expert.
Johnny was a talented ice hockey player and a beacon of positivity and camaraderie. He was renowned for his relentless hustle, laughter, and his exceptional talent on the ice.
He was cherished mainly in the Cincinnati Street Hockey League (CSHL) and the American Premier Hockey League (APHL).
A beloved face in the CSHL, he graced Barb Cook Park and Kenney Shields Park rinks. He began his professional journey with the Blue Ridge Bobcats and quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances.
Moreover, he played for multiple teams, including the Watertown Wolves, Quad City Storm, Elmira Mammoth, Danbury Hat Tricks, and Helena Bighorns.
Johnny’s energy shined among friends and fellow players, making every game session memorable. He trained under head coaches like Don Biggs and Chris Dyment.
Johnny Bonta’s Family Mourns His Tragic Loss
Toledo Mobsters hockey player Johnny Bonta was born in West Chester, Ohio, on December 6, 1995. His parents named him John Bonta and raised him alongside his brother, Jacob Bonta.
Moreover, they expressed their deep sorrow and shared how his passion for hockey and positive spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.
Johnny’s parents, whose names haven’t been widely publicized, have been a source of inspiration and strength throughout his athletic career.
They taught him the true meaning of sportsmanship and the importance of toughness and responsibility. Thus, he could build lasting relationships with teammates, coaches, and fans.
Sadly, his life was cut short unexpectedly at 29, leaving behind all the love from his parents, siblings, friends, and family.
His parents have yet to reveal the actual cause of his death to the tabloids and the date of his memorable service.
Johnny’s legacy of laughter, love, and dedication to hockey will continue to inspire and resonate with others. His career was marked by his positive spirit and love for the sports.
He was a beloved figure, and many remembered him heartfelt tribute.
This one hurts. It is with tremendous sadness that we say goodbye to our brother Johnny Bonta. Rest easy my man.
CSHL
Johnny Bonta’s Elder Brother Is A Proven Marketing And Sales Expert
Johnny Bonta’s brother, Jacob Bonta, shared the tragic news of an athlete with a heavy heart on social media. As an older brother, he had never thought about going through this kind of situation.
However, he is proud of his brother, who never stopped inspiring him, even though this was how they thought life would turn out.
The Bonta siblings naturally shared a lot of things as children. They even played hockey together, and Jacob admitted Jonny was a better player.
To say that my brother loved hockey is quite the understatement. He ate, slept and breathed the game. It was part of him.
Jacob Bonta
The last thing we talked about was how he was planning to start a semi pro team in Lexington. He gave his life to the sport and it makes me proud to know that he never stopped playing the game competitively until the very end. Even if it caused a few arguments between us. He did him and I’ll always be proud of him.
Later, Jacob quit playing and pursued a career as a marketing and growth expert. He attended the University of Cincinnati and did his MBA from Marketing Week Mini MBA with Mark Ritson.
He was a graphics designer and photographer before joining HSD Metrics as a marketing director in October 2020. In November 2020, he served as a growth strategist for NTT Data.
Jacob also became brand manager at Kroger in June 2022 before founding his own company, Lowlands Collective, in the same year.
Additional Information
- Johnny Bonta was a right-wing player.
- He stood 5 foot and 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighed about 74 kg (163 lbs).
- He played ice hockey for Toledo Mobsters of APHL, wearing jersey number 8 during the 2024-2025 season.
