1st-round draft pick Bill Zonnon grateful for opportunity with Penguins

Bill Zonnon was 4 years old when he moved across the globe from Togo, a western Africa country, to Montreal.

The massive life change at such a young age was difficult to navigate but, with the help of family and loved ones, helped form his future in hockey.

“I had so many people that were around me to help me,” Zonnon said. “My teachers at school, coaches and teammates all helped me, and I am really grateful to those people.”

Zonnon picked up the sport quickly upon arriving in North America — something hard to avoid in hockey-obsessed Canada. He became the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft last week because of that decision.

“It’s a lot of emotions because I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Zonnon said Thursday at Penguins development camp at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. “To finally be here is definitely nice, and I’m here to have a fun week and get better.”

Growing up in Montreal and playing in the NHL was Zonnon’s dream growing up, one he never gave up on.

He was a part of the Penguins’ 13-player draft class that president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and his staff selected last weekend. Among others, Zonnon was joined by two other first-round selections, Will Horcoff and Ben Kindel, this week in Cranberry.

“Billy Zonnon has a high work rate and is highly competitive, playing center this year and wing in the past,” Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark said after the draft June 28. “We got to know him a little at the combine in Buffalo, and you can see the look in his eyes that he’s got a dawg mindset.”

Zonnon and his fellow draftees were happy to be back on the ice Thursday, ready to put the emotions of being drafted behind them and getting back to playing hockey and improving.

“I didn’t expect much for myself, having not skated in a long time and just with all the emotion from the draft as well,” Zonnon said. “To get that first skate in was definitely nice, and I’m looking forward to the next ones.”

Zonnon spent the past three seasons playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rouyn-Norandoa Huskies.

Last season was by far his best, producing 28 goals and 55 assists in 64 regular-season games. In postseason play, he had 16 points in the team’s 13 playoff matchups, a team-high mark.

“I’m part of the Penguins, but now the real work starts,” Zonnon said. “It’s time to start to prove myself to the organization and everyone else.”

Zonnon cited PK Subban — one of the NHL’s most polarizing players who is now an on-air personality for ESPN — as one of the main reasons he got into the sport of hockey, saying Subban serves as an inspiration for him and so many others.

“It’s nice to have him available and know that he’s always there for me to reach out to him whenever I need something,” Zonnon said. “He’s a great mentor for me.”

Subban posted on Instagram following the draft that “the future is here” for Zonnon.

The young prospect said at this point in his development he is looking to say and do all the right things.

“Very, very far away,” Zonnon said about his chances to make the team. “I know I’m gonna put in the work, and now that I’m drafted I’ll have more resources than I ever had before.”

As for the general change of landscape, it is Zonnon’s first time in the city of Pittsburgh.

“I didn’t know much about the city when we got here, but I love it,” Zonnon said. “We went to a Pirates game — that was fun. It was my first ever baseball game.”

Note: Four players were not able to fully participate at development camp this week, including last year’s second-round selection forward Tanner Howe, as well as forwards Luke Devlin and Zam Plante. Non-roster invitee defenseman Maleek McGowan also was limited.