Patrice Bergeron Named 20th Captain of the Boston Bruins
The legacy continues.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/t76NqIcoQd
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 7, 2021
I, for one, am absolutely shocked.
Earlier today, the Bruins announced that Patrice Bergeron has been named the 20th captain in franchise history (and did so in a great way, check this video out to see it). I’m sure you were just as shocked as I am to see this news. The 35-year-old center is entering his 17th season in the NHL, all of which were with the Bruins, and has served as an alternate captain since the 2006-07 season.
Integrity. Humility. Resiliency.
The Boston Bruins are proud to announce Patrice Bergeron as the 20th captain in team history.
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— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 7, 2021
Playing Career
NHL
Over the course of his 17 seasons in Boston, Bergeron has appeared in 1089 games and produced 352 goals and 517 assists for a total of 869 points. But, more importantly than points, Patrice Bergeron is one of the greatest two-way forwards of all time. He’s tied for the all-time record in Selke Trophy wins at four, and has been nominated a record-breaking nine consecutive seasons. Don’t be surprised to see him get another before he calls it a career.
As I’m sure all of you remember, Bergeron was also a member of the 2011 Stanely Cup Champion team. He’s since made two more trips to the Finals but unfortunately come up empty. Bergeron was also the recipient of the 2013 King Clancy Memorial Tournament. This trophy is “awarded annually to an NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” He was nominated for the award again in 2020. Also, in 2014, Bergeron won the NHL Foundation Player Award, which recognizes “the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey– commitment, perseverance, and teamwork– to enrich the lives of the people in his community.”
On top of that, his excellence rubs off on anyone who’s lucky enough to play with him. Marchand has made himself into one of the best two-way wingers in the league. Pastrnak’s defensive play has come a long way as well and only continues to get better. A lot of that is thanks to Bergeron. He’s the type of player who helps everyone he plays with elevate their game to the next level.
International
Bergeron also excels on the international stage. He’s represented Team Canada a total of six times over the course of his career. His first time doing so was back in 2003-04 at the age of 18, when he played in the IIHF World Championship, where he appeared in nine games and tallied one goal and zero assists for a total of one point. He also won his first of what is now five gold medals in that tournament. The following year, Bergeron played in the World Junior Championship, appearing in six games and producing five goals and eight assists for a total of 13 points. They won gold, and he led the tournament in scoring and was named tournament MVP.
Bergeron then played in the 2006 IIHF World Championship, appearing in nine games and producing six goals and eight assists for a total of 14 points. Bergeron would then go on to represent Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, playing in a total of 13 games and putting up zero goals and three assists for a total of three points, and winning gold both times. In 2012, Bergeron played in the Spengler Cup, where he put up five points and won gold. That same year, Bergeron was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Finally, Bergeron most recently played for the Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. There, he played on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand, appeared in six games and tallied four goals and three assists for a total of seven point, and won gold.
Bergeron is a True Captain
As impressive as his stats and overall play are, they are not the reason Bergeron got this honor. He is one of the most hard-working, nicest, and humble players in the league right now. Bergeron’s also one of the best leaders the game has seen in a while. He always leads by example, just like Chara did. For years, Chara referred to Bergeron as his co-captain even though he only had an “A.”
Community Endeavors
On top of that, Bergeron is an all-around incredible person and does a lot in the community. All the way back in 2006, when he was just 21 years old, Bergeron started Patrice’s Pals, which gives kids who are in the hospital and their families the chance to watch a Bruins home game from a special suite and then meet Bergeron after. Then, in 2008, he co-founded the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am, which takes place every summer in Quebec and raises money for kids in hospitals. Next up, in 2010 Bergeron began spearheading the Bruins’ annual holiday toy shopping for kids who have to spend the holidays in the hospital.
As if he wasn’t already doing enough, in 2013 Bergeron took over the Cuts for a Cause fundraiser. Cuts for a Cause raises money for the Boston Bruins Foundation and Tufts Children’s Hospital. That fundraiser hasn’t been held since 2017, because it gave way to a new fundraiser that Bergeron himself started: Pucks and Paddles. Pucks and Paddles allows auction winners and children’s hospital patients the chance to play ping pong with Bruins players and raises money for the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Children’s Hospital and the Boston Bruins Foundation.
Bergeon’s care for his community is unmistakable. Combine all of this, and you have a guy that everybody wants leading their team.
Marchand Named Full-Time Alternate Along With Krejci
The Letters.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/3SZyIVAm5i
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 7, 2021
With Bergeron’s promotion to captain, Marchand has been named a permanent alternate captain. The 32-year-old left-winger that everybody loves to hate has spent all 12 of his seasons with Boston (plus another before that down in Providence). Overall, he’s appeared in 751 games and tallied 290 assists and 356 points for a total of 646 points. For the past two seasons, Marchand has worn an “A” whenever Chara, Bergeron, or Krejci was injured. Last year he may have even worn an “A” for every road game and Krejci wore it for every home or vice versa. But, I am not 100% sure about that. Either way, this is unsurprising. While no one outside of Boston will ever admit it, Marchand has cleaned up his act and has become a big leadership presence on and off the ice for the Bruins. He is more than deserving of this position.
The other alternate captain this season is Krejci, who has served in this role since the 2013-14 season. He’s spent all 15 seasons of his NHL career in Boston. Overall, he’s played in 911 games and put up 207 goals and 479 assists for a total of 686 points. Like Bergeron, Krejci leads by example and is humble, hard-working, and an all-around great guy. So, he’s an obvious choice.
Who Will Wear An “A” If Someone Gets Hurt?
Something I’ll be keeping an eye on this season is who gets an “A” if any of them get hurt. I’m particularly interested this year because whoever it is is probably going to be Bergeron’s successor (although Marchand may be a candidate for that too). My best guess is Charlie Coyle will be the first in line. But two others to keep an eye on are Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo. Carlo is only 24, but he’s mature beyond his years and is the most ready to be a leader out of all the young guns (I’m not considering Grzelcyk a young gun since he’s 27). Grzlecyk has that quiet confidence about him too, and has worked very hard to improve year after year. He also has leadership experience, as he served as BU’s captain his junior and senior years there.
There Is No One More Deserving
Not only is there not one on the Bruins, but there isn’t a single player in the league who deserved to be a captain more than Bergeron. He’s been ready for this role for well over a decade now. While it’s a bit bittersweet because he only got it since Chara left, I could not be happier for him. As I said above, Bergeron truly is the kind of player and person that everyone wants on their team. The Bruins will miss Chara’s presence on the ice and as a mentor. But, at least they won’t have a problem with leadership and their locker room culture. He has some big shoes to fill, literally and metaphorically (sorry had to say it), but Bergeron will have no issue with keeping things the same. Congratulations, Patrice! The “C” looks amazing on you!
-Lydia Murray (@lydia_murray12)
Featured image courtesy of @NHLBruins/Twitter.