Bruins Name Patrice Bergeron 20th Captain In Team History
"To be Captain of an Original Six franchise is an honor, and a role that comes with much responsibility to his teammates and the fans," said Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs. "There is no doubt in my mind that Patrice is the natural successor to the Captain role, and he will represent this franchise very well. He has consistently and reliably contributed to this team's advancement and has been an adept leader for many years, both on and off the ice. His tenure as Captain will be one of great success."
"Throughout Patrice Bergeron's historic career with the Boston Bruins, he has carried himself with great integrity, humility and resiliency," said Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs, "These qualities make Patrice a natural leader and an obvious choice as to who should serve as the next Captain of the Boston Bruins. We are incredibly proud to have Patrice fill this important role and look forward to watching him lead the locker room this season and beyond."
"It's a privilege to name Patrice the 20th Captain of the Boston Bruins," said Bruins President Cam Neely. "For 16 seasons we have all watched Patrice grow not only into an elite player but also a tremendous leader. Patrice represents the Bruins organization and our fans with integrity, determination and class. On and off the ice he embodies what it means to be a Bruin, and we couldn't be prouder that he will lead our team as Captain."
"It is with great privilege that we present Patrice Bergeron as the 20th Captain of the Boston Bruins," said Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney. "Patrice Bergeron exudes leadership, character, talent, will and empathy. We all know Bergy embraces the legacy of the Boston Bruins, as he will with the Captaincy. Bergy has earned the respect of all of his teammates, coaches and everyone in the Bruins organization. Congratulations to Patrice, Stephanie, Zack, Victoria and Noah."
Bergeron joins the ranks of past Bruins captains, including seven Hall of Famers and seven former Bruins whose numbers have been retired.
Past Bruins Captains include Zdeno Chara (2006-20), Joe Thornton (2002-05), Jason Allison (2000-01), Ray Bourque (1985-2000), Rick Middleton (1985-88), Terry O'Reilly (1983-85), Wayne Cashman (1977-83), John Bucyk (1966-67 and 1973-77), Leo Boivin (1963-66), Don McKenney (1961-63), Ferny Flaman (1955-61), Ed Sandford (1954-55), Milt Schmidt (1950-54), John Crawford (1946-50), Ralph 'Cooney' Weiland (1938-39), Aubrey 'Dit' Clapper (1932-38 and 1939-47), George Owen (1931-32), Lionel Hitchman (1927-31), Sprague Cleghorn (1925-27).
Entering his 17th NHL season, all with the Bruins, the L'Ancienne Lorette, Quebec native ranks third in Bruins history in games played (1089) and game-winning goals (67), fifth in goals (352) and assists (517), and sixth in points (869). The 6-foot-1, 195-pound centerman also ranks third in Bruins history in playoff games played (149), playoff points (111), playoff assists (69) and fourth in playoff goals (42).
Among active NHL players, Bergeron ranks 3rd in plus/minus (+201), 14th in points, 15th in assists, 17th in goals and 18th in games played. Bergeron also ranks 9th among active players in playoff games played, 9th in playoff goals, 9th in playoff assists and 11th in playoff points.
Since entering the league in 2003 as an 18-year-old, Bergeron has won and been nominated for a number of NHL awards.
Bergeron has been nominated for the Selke Award, given annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game, for nine consecutive seasons. Bergeron has won the award in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017. Bergeron's four Selke awards are tied with Hall of Fame forward Bob Gainey of the Montreal Canadiens for most all-time.
In 2013, Bergeron was named the winner of the 2013 King Clancy Trophy. The King Clancy 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. Bergeron was also nominated for the award in 2020.
In 2014, Bergeron was named the winner of the NHL Foundation Player Award, recognizing the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey -- commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community.
In 2006, Bergeron founded the Patrice's Pals program, which brings patients from local hospitals and other children's organizations to TD Garden to experience a Bruins home game. Each home game, children are invited to the game to watch the Bruins play in the official Patrice's Pals luxury suite and meet Bergeron postgame.
To date, children from Boston Children's Hospital, the Cam Neely Foundation, Franciscan Children's, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Big Brother and Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay, Shriners Hospital, Jimmy Fund, SCORE Boston and various YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs across New Engalnd have all become "Patrice's Pals."
In 2008, Bergeron founded the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am alongside fellow NHLer Simon Gagné. Players from around the NHL join Bergeron and Gagné in L'Ancienne-Lorrette, Quebec to play in the Pro-Am that raises funds for children in hospitals around Quebec City. In 2020, the Pro-Am raised over $129,000.
In 2010, Bergeron began spearheading the Boston Bruins annual holiday toy shopping event, where the entire Bruins roster takes part in shopping for children and families in need. Bruins Hall of Famer Ray Bourque started the holiday toy shopping tradition when he served as the captain, and the event has continued ever since. Every year, each member of the team makes a donation, which goes towards the purchasing of the toys. The Boston Bruins Foundation then matches the total donation. Toys purchased at the event each year are delivered to over 600 children at hospitals around Boston who are unable to spend the holidays at home.
In 2013, Bergeron began hosting the Bruins annual Cuts for a Cause event. At the event, auction winners shaved the heads of Bruins players to show their support and raise money for the Boston Bruins Foundation and Tufts Children's Hospital by shaving their heads. The event was started by Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward, and later hosted by forward Shawn Thornton before Bergeron assumed the role. The 10th annual Cuts for a Cause in 2017 raised over $100,000. Since the inception of the event in 2007, the event raised over $700,000.
In 2018, Bergeron teamed with the Boston Bruins Foundation and 98.5 The Sports Hub to host the inaugural Pucks and Paddles event. At the event, auction winners and children's hospital patients could play ping pong alongside Bruins players, before the players participated in a singles tournament. The annual event continued in 2019 and 2020, and in three years has raised a total of $375,000 to benefit Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Children Hospital and the Boston Bruins Foundation.
Bergeron won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 against the Vancouver Canucks. He played in 23 playoff games in 2011, recording six goals, 14 assists and 20 points. Bergeron also scored the game-winning goal in Game 7.
Bergeron made his Olympic debut in Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he won gold with Team Canada. Bergeron would go on to win a second straight gold for Team Canada in Sochi at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Bergeron first represented Team Canada at the 2004 IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal at the age 18. He would go on to win gold with Team Canada at the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship, making him the first player to win world junior gold after winning the men's world gold. Bergeron led the 2005 World Juniors in scoring with five goals and eight assists and was named tournament MVP. Bergeron also represented Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Championship, as well as the 2012 Spengler Cup where Canada won gold during the NHL lockout. He was a member of Team Canada that won gold at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In total, Bergeron has won five gold medals representing Team Canada. Bergeron was named to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012.
Bergeron was originally selected by the Bruins in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
