Bokondji Imama Bio
Bokondji “Boko” Imama is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), while also under contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 3, 1996, in Montreal, Quebec, Imama began his junior career with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar before being drafted 180th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has since built a reputation as a physical, hard-nosed forward across several organizations, including the Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, and Ottawa Senators.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 222 pounds, Imama is recognized for his toughness, willingness to stand up for teammates, and willingness to drop the gloves. He shoots left and has carved out a role as a depth forward and enforcer at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Early Life and Background
Bokondji Imama was born on August 3, 1996, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He grew up alongside four sisters in a tight-knit household rooted in Congolese heritage. His mother, Kumbia, and his father, Bokondji, both immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they built a new life and raised their family in Quebec.
From an early age, Imama was drawn to hockey, a sport deeply embedded in Canadian culture. Growing up in Montreal, one of the great hockey cities in the world, gave him constant exposure to the game at both the grassroots and professional levels. His size and competitive nature quickly marked him as a player who could use his physical attributes effectively on the ice.
Imama’s path through minor hockey eventually led him to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the top major junior league in Quebec, where he would begin his draft-eligible career and first attract attention from NHL scouts.
Path to Hockey
The Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL selected Imama in the fourth round of the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft. He joined the Drakkar for the 2012–13 QMJHL season, where his physical style of play quickly became a defining trait. He spent parts of three seasons with Baie-Comeau before being traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs during the 2014–15 campaign.
His reputation for standing up for teammates was cemented in December 2015, when he received a 15-game suspension from the QMJHL after coming off the Sea Dogs’ bench to defend 15-year-old teammate Joe Veleno during a brawl against the Halifax Mooseheads. That same season, the Tampa Bay Lightning chose him 180th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, validating his growth as a prospect.
Imama finished the 2015–16 season with 19 points in 48 games, then exploded offensively the following year, leading the Sea Dogs and finishing seventh in the QMJHL with 41 goals in 66 games. He added 15 points in 18 playoff games as Saint John won the President’s Cup and advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup, where the team reached the semifinal before being eliminated by the Erie Otters.
Bokondji Imama Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
After failing to agree on a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Imama was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on May 31, 2017, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Kings the following day, beginning his professional career. Apart from a brief stint with the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs in 2018–19, Imama spent his first four professional seasons with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
During the 2019–20 season, Imama became a central figure in a widely discussed incident when Bakersfield Condors defenseman Brandon Manning directed a racist taunt at him, resulting in a five-game suspension for Manning. On February 7, 2020, the two faced each other for the first time since the incident, fighting early in the first period. Imama later added a goal and an assist to complete a Gordie Howe hat trick, earning third-star honors in a 10–3 Reign win.
Arizona Coyotes Era (2021–2023)
On July 24, 2021, the Kings traded Imama and defenseman Cole Hults to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forwards Tyler Steenbergen and Brayden Burke. Assigned to the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, Imama was again the target of a racist gesture, this time by San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik on January 12, 2022. The AHL later suspended Hrabik for 30 games.
The Coyotes recalled Imama on April 22, 2022, and he made his NHL debut that night against the Washington Capitals. The following day, he scored his first NHL goal against St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in a 5–4 overtime loss. He appeared in four games with Arizona that season before being assigned to Tucson to begin 2022–23, where he played five additional games with the Coyotes.
Ottawa Senators Era (2023–2024)
As an unrestricted free agent, Imama signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2023. After attending training camp but failing to make the NHL roster, he cleared waivers and was assigned to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. There, he registered ten points in 53 games during the 2023–24 season.
Imama was suspended by the AHL for three games on January 13, 2024, following an incident in a game against the Toronto Marlies. He was recalled by Ottawa on April 6 and made his Senators debut that night, fighting Kurtis MacDermid in the first period of a 4–3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He appeared in six games with Ottawa, finishing scoreless.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2024–Present)
Imama signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2024. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to open 2024–25. He was recalled on January 25, 2025, following an injury to Bryan Rust, and made his Pittsburgh debut the next day against the Seattle Kraken.
On February 28, 2025, Imama delivered a controversial hit on Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway that forced Hathaway from the game but resulted in no serious injury. Flyers head coach John Tortorella publicly criticized the referees for assessing only a two-minute minor. Imama later scored his first Penguins goal on March 22 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. A biceps surgery in March ended his season. In 24 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he recorded two goals and five points, while adding one goal in 16 NHL appearances.
Imama signed a one-year contract extension with Pittsburgh on June 13 and was again assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to begin 2025–26. He was recalled on December 1 and made his season debut that night against the Flyers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Imama’s game is built on physicality, forechecking, and protecting teammates. He uses his 6-foot-1, 222-pound frame to finish checks, win board battles, and establish a physical tone. While not primarily an offensive player, he has shown the ability to chip in goals when given opportunities, and his willingness to drop the gloves has made him a respected enforcer in the AHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Imama’s most notable moments include his Gordie Howe hat trick against the Condors on February 7, 2020, his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues in April 2022, and the 2017 President’s Cup championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs. He has also been at the center of important conversations about racism in hockey, advocating against abuse while continuing to compete at a high level.
Bokondji Imama Career Wins
Across junior and professional play, Imama’s win résumé is highlighted by team championships and individual milestones rather than personal trophy collections. His most celebrated victory came with the Saint John Sea Dogs, who captured the 2017 QMJHL President’s Cup.
QMJHL Highlights
Imama was part of the Saint John Sea Dogs’ President’s Cup-winning squad in 2017, a run that included 15 points in 18 playoff games for him personally. He had earlier finished seventh in the entire QMJHL with 41 goals during the 2016–17 regular season, a career-best offensive output that foreshadowed his NHL potential.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond junior hockey, Imama’s professional highlight was his Gordie Howe hat trick in a 10–3 Ontario Reign win over Bakersfield in February 2020. He has contributed to playoff pushes at the AHL level with the Reign, Roadrunners, Belleville Senators, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins throughout his career.
Bokondji Imama Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Imama was raised in Montreal in a large family that includes four sisters. His parents, Kumbia and Bokondji, both emigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo before settling in Canada. Their immigration story shaped a household rooted in resilience, community, and cultural pride, values that Imama has often carried with him into his hockey career.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Imama is known for his close ties to his family and his Congolese heritage. He has spoken publicly about the importance of representation and standing against racism in sport, experiences that have shaped his identity as both a player and a public figure.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been eventful for Imama. After signing a contract extension with Pittsburgh in June, he opened the 2025–26 season in the AHL before earning a recall on December 1, 2025. He made his season debut that night against the Philadelphia Flyers, recording one additional appearance before being returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 7.
His 2024–25 campaign had already included a memorable first Penguins goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in March 2025, though a biceps surgery later that month cut his season short. Entering the new year, Imama remains a depth forward candidate for Pittsburgh whenever injuries or lineup changes create an opening.
Looking ahead, Imama is expected to continue serving as a physical, defense-first option for both Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. His combination of toughness and team-first mentality ensures he will remain a trusted call-up option as the Penguins navigate the 2025–26 season.