Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Bokondji Imama, popularly known as Boko Imama, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 3, 1996, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Imama comes from a family with strong roots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His parents, Bokondji Imama Sr. and Kumbia Kandolo, immigrated to Canada from Congo before he was born. He grew up alongside four sisters named Alice, Bononga, Bandeja, and Kumbia. Although Imama has spoken openly about his parents and siblings, he has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Bokondji Imama’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
Bokondji Imama has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner. The Florida Panthers forward generally keeps his dating life away from media attention.
While Imama frequently discusses his parents, sisters, hockey experiences, and Congolese heritage, he rarely shares details about romantic relationships in interviews.
His public appearances and social media activities have primarily focused on his professional hockey career, family, community involvement, and efforts to promote diversity in sports.
There have been no sufficiently reliable public reports identifying a girlfriend or long-term partner.
Is Bokondji Imama Married?
There is no verified public confirmation that Bokondji Imama is married or engaged.
Neither official NHL biographies nor the available interviews with Imama establish that he has a wife.
Because he maintains a private personal life, it would be inaccurate to describe him as married or single without reliable confirmation.
Bokondji Imama’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Bokondji Imama has children.
The Canadian hockey player has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and reliable sports reporting has not identified any children belonging to him.
Does Bokondji Imama Have a Son?
No son has been publicly confirmed. Imama has not shared verified information identifying a male child.
Does Bokondji Imama Have a Daughter?
There is likewise no reliable public confirmation that Imama has a daughter.
Although his relationships with his parents and sisters are well documented, information concerning his potential children remains private.
Bokondji Imama’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Bokondji Imama was born to Bokondji Imama Sr. and Kumbia Kandolo, who moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Canada.
His parents established their family in Montreal, where they raised five children.
Imama has repeatedly credited his parents for teaching him discipline, perseverance, and the importance of hard work.
Bokondji Imama’s Father: Bokondji Imama Sr.
Bokondji Imama Sr. is the father of the Florida Panthers forward and one of the most influential people in his life.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he studied in Quebec when he was approximately 19 or 20 years old.
After marrying Kumbia, he settled in Montreal, where they started their family.
According to an April 2025 interview published by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Imama’s father initially knew relatively little about ice hockey.
However, one of his first friends in Quebec was an enthusiastic hockey supporter whose son participated in the sport.
That friend encouraged Bokondji Sr. to introduce his own son to hockey, beginning a journey that eventually led Imama to the NHL.
As a child, Imama spent considerable time with his four sisters. His father encouraged him to participate in sports and socialize with other children.
Imama later developed a strong interest in ice hockey and pursued the game competitively.
His father also worked in forestry-related business activities in Congo, traveling between Canada and his country of origin.
In a May 2017 interview with Le Journal de Montréal, Imama explained that his father frequently showed him photographs of Kinshasa and other places in Congo.
Those photographs encouraged the young hockey player to learn more about his family’s heritage.
Beyond business, Bokondji Sr. has participated in charitable initiatives in Congo, helping provide food and medical supplies to disadvantaged communities.
In a February 2022 interview with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Imama described his father as his greatest role model.
He explained that observing his father’s courage, character, and dedication helped shape his own personality.
His father’s pride in seeing the family surname displayed on an NHL jersey has also been an important source of motivation.
Bokondji Imama’s Mother: Kumbia Kandolo
Kumbia Kandolo is Bokondji Imama’s mother. She was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and later immigrated to Canada with her husband.
She raised five children in Montreal, including Boko and his four sisters.
Kumbia has been an important source of emotional support throughout her son’s hockey career.
During a February 2022 interview with his former junior hockey organization, Imama credited both parents with helping him overcome difficult experiences, including incidents of racial discrimination.
He explained that their encouragement helped him continue pursuing his professional ambitions despite the challenges he encountered.
In August 2025, Imama shared details of a memorable family vacation to Dubai.
The trip was originally planned as a special experience for his mother, who had long dreamed of visiting the city.
Imama intended to travel with her, but his father and two of his sisters also decided to join them.
The family spent time exploring the destination and enjoying activities together.
Speaking to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Imama explained that the vacation was particularly meaningful because professional hockey often keeps him away from relatives for extended periods.
Although Kumbia is publicly identified as his mother, reliable details about her professional occupation and educational background remain limited.
Bokondji Imama’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Bokondji Imama has four sisters named Alice, Bononga, Bandeja, and Kumbia. He is the only son of Bokondji Imama Sr. and Kumbia Kandolo.
His sisters were identified in a family profile by sports journalist Sunaya Sapurji, later referenced by LA Kings Insider in May 2017.
Growing up with four sisters significantly influenced his childhood experiences.
Bokondji Imama’s Sister: Alice Imama
Alice is one of Bokondji Imama’s four sisters.
She grew up alongside her siblings in Montreal after their parents immigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Although Alice is identified in published family reporting, further verified information about her occupation, relationships, and personal life has not been widely disclosed.
Bokondji Imama’s Sister: Bononga Imama
Bononga is another sister of Bokondji Imama.
Like her siblings, she was raised in Montreal in a family that maintained connections with its Congolese heritage.
Imama has spoken about spending considerable time with his sisters during childhood, particularly because he was the only boy among five children.
However, Bononga has maintained a private public profile, and reliable information about her professional activities is limited.
Bokondji Imama’s Sister: Bandeja Imama
Bandeja is also one of Imama’s four sisters.
Her name appears in the 2017 family reporting that documented the hockey player’s upbringing and relationships with his siblings.
Although Imama has discussed the importance of family in his life, he has not extensively disclosed Bandeja’s personal details.
There is no sufficiently reliable public information establishing her current occupation or relationship status.
Bokondji Imama’s Youngest Sister: Kumbia Imama
Kumbia is the youngest of Imama’s four sisters.
She was named after their mother, Kumbia Kandolo, according to the family profile referenced by LA Kings Insider.
Growing up, Imama frequently played with his sisters and participated in activities they enjoyed.
He recalled spending time playing with dolls and other toys before becoming increasingly involved in competitive sports.
Despite later becoming known for his physical playing style, those childhood memories highlight the influence his sisters had on his upbringing.
Like her sisters, Kumbia has largely remained outside the public spotlight.
Does Bokondji Imama Have a Brother?
No. Available family reporting identifies Imama as the only boy among five siblings.
His four sisters are Alice, Bononga, Bandeja, and Kumbia.
Bokondji Imama’s Relationship With His Sisters
Imama has maintained a close relationship with his sisters despite the demanding schedule of professional hockey.
In an August 2025 interview with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he explained that hockey frequently requires him to spend long periods away from home.
He acknowledged that family milestones sometimes pass while he is traveling or competing.
His vacation to Dubai with his parents and two sisters provided an opportunity to reconnect.
The family enjoyed exploring a different culture and spending uninterrupted time together.
The experience reinforced the importance Imama places on maintaining strong relationships with relatives.
Bokondji Imama’s Family Background and Congolese Heritage
Bokondji Imama was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but his family originates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His parents immigrated to Canada before his birth, establishing a new life while maintaining connections with relatives in Central Africa.
Growing up, Imama became increasingly curious about his African heritage.
In May 2017, he expressed a desire to visit Congo and meet extended family members, including his grandfather, uncles, and aunts.
Although several relatives had moved to Canada and the United States, others continued living in Congo.
His father regularly traveled to Africa and shared photographs and stories about the country.
These experiences encouraged Imama to develop an appreciation for his family’s origins.
He has also expressed pride in representing his family and inspiring young players from backgrounds that are underrepresented in professional hockey.
Bokondji Imama’s Early Life and Hockey Career
Imama grew up in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood, where he participated in several sports before focusing primarily on ice hockey.
His father’s encouragement helped him begin playing organized hockey.
He later joined the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before moving to the Saint John Sea Dogs.
During the 2016–17 season, Imama scored 41 goals in 66 games and helped Saint John win the league championship.
The Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the sixth round, 180th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
His professional career included time in the Los Angeles Kings organization before he joined the Arizona Coyotes.
He made his NHL debut on April 22, 2022, with Arizona.
He subsequently played for the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins organizations.
In April 2025, the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association selected Imama as the Penguins’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, recognizing his perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship.
On July 1, 2026, Imama signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bokondji Imama’s Family
Who is Bokondji Imama’s girlfriend?
Bokondji Imama has not publicly confirmed the identity of a current girlfriend or romantic partner.
Is Bokondji Imama married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Imama is married or engaged.
Does Bokondji Imama have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed. There is no verified information identifying a son or daughter.
Who is Bokondji Imama’s father?
His father is Bokondji Imama Sr., originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He encouraged his son to play hockey and has been an important influence throughout his career.
Who is Bokondji Imama’s mother?
His mother is Kumbia Kandolo, who immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Does Bokondji Imama have siblings?
Yes. He has four sisters named Alice, Bononga, Bandeja, and Kumbia.
Does Bokondji Imama have a brother?
No brother has been publicly identified. Imama is described as the only son in a family of five children.
Where are Bokondji Imama’s parents from?
His parents originate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa.
Where was Bokondji Imama born?
He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 3, 1996.
Which NHL team does Bokondji Imama play for?
Bokondji Imama plays for the Florida Panthers, having signed a one-year contract with the team in July 2026.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
