Bergeron had 63 points (30 goals, 33 assists) in 64 games last season; of the 18 games he missed, 13 were because of a broken foot. He also had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
After the Bruins lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Second Round, the Bruins medical staff hoped rest would have solved Bergeron's groin issue. But two weeks later, he still was feeling pain.
"I started going back in the gym and it flared up right away," Bergeron said. "Did an MRI and realized it wasn't something that was going to go [away] on its own. There was some tear in it and it had to be done through surgery. You're trying to avoid surgery at all costs, but when it's needed, you have to go along with it and take the time that needs to be for it to heal. That's what I've done all summer.
"Hindsight is 20/20 when you look back. Of course I would have liked to do it right away, but talking with the training staff and doctors, there was a chance it would go either way. Unfortunately, it stayed and got worse."
Bergeron spent about an hour on the ice Friday and said he came through the practice well. But it remains a process to get him prepared for the season.
"I'm starting to feel better on the ice now, starting to increase the workload in the gym as well," Bergeron said. "Slowly but surely, and feeling good."
