BOSTON - During normal times, road trips can be crucial to a team's success.
While the lengthy flights and time away from family can be taxing, the extensive travel can also provide opportunities to bond and come together as a group over the course of a grueling NHL schedule.
Whether it's a lively card game on the team plane, a hotel hangout with the boys, or a quiet group dinner, there are typically plenty of chances for teammates to develop a rapport.
But none of that has been possible this season, as the protocols and restrictions required in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic have forced teams to remain at their hotels and limit any in-person, group activities while away from the rink.
So, with the Bruins set for their lone cross-country trip of the season for NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe, Patrice Bergeron saw an opportunity.
During Most Unusual Season, B's Found Way to Bond in Tahoe
Bergeron's idea for 90s-themed wardrobe provided an opportunity for team to come together
Building off of the success of the Bruins' highly acclaimed 'Peaky Blinders' inspired outfits for the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium, Boston's captain wanted to go big, once again, for the Black & Gold's latest outdoor event.
"I think it's always good timing, to be honest with you, to try to find ways to get your mind away from the routine, I guess, and experience something different, something pretty special in its own way," said Bergeron, referring to the team's two-game losing skid entering the Tahoe game.
"Obviously, the bonding part of it is important especially in a year like this where you're not allowed to leave the hotel or go to restaurants or whatnot. It's definitely even more important this year to try and find ways and be creative with your team bonding.
"It was definitely good timing. But these types of events are always welcome and important to enjoy and live to the fullest."
The Bruins certainly did that as Bergeron coordinated yet another memorable wardrobe theme, this time opting for '90s throwback attire in honor of the debut of Boston's gold Reverse Retro jerseys - which were based off the Bruins' home uniforms from the 1980s and early '90s - and Lake Tahoe, considered to be one of the country's most beautiful ski areas.
"The idea was it was the first time we were wearing the Reverse Retro jersey," Bergeron, born in 1985, explained. "That jersey was based on the '80s but also early '90s jersey that Cam [Neely] and Ray [Bourque] wore. The idea was for us to kind of dress as if we were playing in the late '80s or early '90s."
Bergeron got the blessing of Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who was all in on the idea, saying that he always trusts Bergeron and the leadership group to police the dressing room and determine how best to bring the group together away from the rink.
"From my point of view, I've always felt that the players need to have some fun. It's a long year," said Cassidy. "But you work, you win, and you have fun. You kind of try to not mess up the order. I think our guys are really good at that, understanding that you can have some personality, I think the game needs it.
"I love the fact that we have guys in the room that are willing to show it…they seem to be all in together when they come up with these ideas. I think that's great. This one was a credit to Bergy.
"I loved it. I'm all for it, but when the puck drops make sure you're focused on the task at hand and they've always been that way."
Bergeron was impressed with how much his teammates embraced the theme and the effort they took to find attire and accessories that properly fit the era, despite many of them being '90s babies who were born in the latter half of the decade and unaware of many of the pop culture trends of that time.
When Boston arrived for Sunday's outdoor tilt, they were hard to miss, as they showed off a wide array of '90s garb from brightly-colored neon track and ski suits, to jerseys from the 1992 movie 'The Mighty Ducks,' to fanny packs and rolled-up jeans.
"Obviously guys went all out on it and I was really excited about it," said Bergeron. "For me, it was a way for us to bond as a team to have fun. The outdoor games are always something you have to enjoy and realize that it's something you're gonna remember after your career so make sure you enjoy everything and make the most of it. That was the whole idea, to bond but to also create something special and have fun with it."
As the mastermind of the '90s theme, Bergeron made sure he did not disappoint. Among the highlights of his get-up were a working Walkman with Dr. Dre blasting through his headphone, a shiny gold fanny pack, and a vintage Cam Neely Bruins T-shirt from the 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs, courtesy of B's equipment manager Keith Robinson.
"I was looking for a [T-shirt] online…there's a few that I found but it was taking too long so I wasn't gonna get it on time," said Bergeron. "I asked our trainers, equipment guys, if they had any T-shirts or retro Bruins, gear laying around at home. Keith Robinson had a box full of T-shirts and jackets. I really wanted a Cam T-shirt. He had that one. It worked out perfectly.
"I had a cassette going too. Unfortunately, [the Walkman] broke, it stopped working right when I got off the bus. The radio was on when I was walking [in]."
And as for who Bergeron thought stood out? There was Jaroslav Halak, who donned a mullet wig and carried an old-school oversized cell phone; Connor Clifton and Steven Kampfer, who dressed as the Bash Brothers from 'The Mighty Ducks'; Trent Frederic, who wore a T-shirt with the logo of the band 'Sublime' across the front; and Jeremy Lauzon, who was rocking a 'Power Rangers' sweatshirt.
"I was impressed with everyone, the details," said Bergeron. "A lot of guys went with accessories. Jaro went all out with the huge old school cellphone and the mullet and he had an old watch and the fanny pack. He really had everything going. I loved the Bash Brothers from the Mighty Ducks movie. I was a big fan of that movie growing up. That was a nice touch."
And, of course, Bergeron quite enjoyed David Pastrnak and his bright pink shades.
"Right before warmups, he asked, 'am I wearing these?'" Bergeron recalled. "I said, 'Hell yeah' you are. He had the fanny pack going, the windbreaker and the pants…the attention to detail.
"Those guys stood out, but everyone really did a great job…they all bought in and had fun with it and it turned out great."
