From film buff to the blue line, this puck-moving defenseman pairs cinematic vision with a reliable two-way game as he chases a championship with the Fort Wayne Komets.
Many players have a distinct hobby that they enjoy away from the rink. Often times it is golf or video games. However, Zach Bookman trades the glistening ice for a shiny projector screen as a film connoisseur. His most recent watch? When we spoke, it was Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man, part of the Knives Out franchise. Aside from flicks, Bookman is a pretty normal guy outside of hockey.
Bookman's proclivity for watching movies certainly mirrors his play style. His vision is a key part of Bookman's role as a puck moving defenseman. He sees layers of opponents, allowing him to fulfill his role as a fourth participant on rushes. Through 38 games in 2025-26, Bookman earned 18 points (5 goals + 13 assists). The buzzwords Bookman highlighted with regard to his game are two-way and reliability.
"I'd say I'm just a puck moving, reliable offensive defenseman who like to play two way and like to get up in the rush and just make the simple breakout pass," Bookman said.
The Syracuse, NY native spent 2022-25 at Merrimack College before transferring for his senior season last year. Bookman told me the puck possession game at Western Michigan was a huge part of his decision to join the Broncos, adding that the style "matched perfectly for what I need."
His message to NHL teams as an undrafted free agent was that he continues trying to improve his game while hoping for an opportunity at the next level. The Edmonton Oilers organization apparently noticed Bookman's drive, as their ECHL affiliate Fort Wayne signed him to a Standard Player Contract on April 16. Since joining the Komets, Bookman has played primarily in the playoffs. In five playoff contests, he has one goal and a +5 rating. Fort Wayne leads the ECHL's Central Division Finals two games to none. The Komets head home to Allen County War Memorial Coliseum for an important game three tonight at 7:35pm ET