Patrice Bergeron was honored for his twenty years in the National Hockey League on Thursday evening, before the game of the preparatory duel between the Los Angeles Kings and the Boston Bruins at the Videotron Center in Quebec.
Before being warmly applauded by the 17,334 spectators present, an ovation which lasted more than a minute, the star of the evening had a thought for his childhood spent as a supporter of the Nordiques before the ceremony paying homage to his prestigious career in Boston .
“It’s a nice little mix to experience this evening with important people, in the town where I grew up, in the company of the team with whom I spent my career,” he said with his usual reserve.
“It’s going to be a great moment and I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as possible even if the reflectors aren’t my favorite part.”
— Patrice Bergeron, former captain of the Bruins
A simple ceremony
Kept in complete secrecy, six-trophy champion Frank J. Selke flew with the Bruins to Quebec in the afternoon, the first such trip since his retirement as a player.
Former member of the Bruins, Patrice Bergeron, during the tribute video played before the game against the Kings. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
“Funny” sensations that the father of four young children was very happy to relive a few hours before a sober ceremony organized in his honor.
“It was the fun and pleasant, he said before becoming the center of attraction on the red carpet. I returned to the Bruins entourage last year, I attended games and everything, but to take the plane for a game, it was special to relive all that when returning to Quebec.
“It’s really a beautiful day.”
— Patrice Bergeron, former Bruins star
Proud to have worked with Bergeron for a year, Bruins pilot Jim Montgomery once again praised the merits of the man he compares to Jean Béliveau every chance he gets.
“When you have a player of this reputation, the best defensive player in the history of the league, that commands respect,” explained the original Montrealer. Everyone becomes better people when they’re around.”
Congratulated by several former teammates or well-known opponents, from Sidney Crosby to Zdeno Chara via Maxime Talbot, Philip Danault and Simon Gagné, Patrice Bergeron could not help but remember his years as a fan of the Nordiques, including the return to Quebec less and less arouses the passions of the city’s most dreamers.
“I hope so for the people of the city and surrounding areas,” he repeats when we talk to him about a possible renaissance of fleurdelisés. We don’t need to talk more about it and prove ourselves, we’re big hockey fans, and the market is there. It would be extraordinary for future generations to be able to relive what I experienced.”
A role with the Nordiques?
If the opportunity arose, would he see himself playing a role in the Nordiques 2.0 hockey department? Patrice Bergeron smiles when an American journalist mentions this possibility.
“I grew up as a fan of theirs so it would be something special for sure, but I was part of the Bruins organization for 20 years, which also hold a big place in my heart,” he added. -he. I don’t really know what to answer, but it would definitely be something I would consider!”
After placing the puck on the ice during the official puck drop, Patrice Bergeron took his place for the national anthems before leaving to his box where friends and family members were waiting for him.
“I told them to arrive early because after five minutes, I have nothing left to do!” he joked before the meeting, before which a souvenir frame by the artist Michel Lapensée was given to him.
The Kings took the measure by 4 to 1 over the Bruins. The head coach of the winners, Jim Hiller, praised the atmosphere that reigned in the Limoilou amphitheater during the hat trick of his number 55, striker Quinton Byfield.
Quinton Byfield hit the target three times Thursday night. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
“It was really good, it started strong with Patrice,” he appreciated. The ovations brought a lot of energy as we left, the crowd remained intense all evening.”
“It’s great to be here, we’re having a good time,” smiled the author of a three-goal performance. I still have my child’s heart, I like to have fun. Hoping that we will make new supporters in Quebec!”
The second game of the week will take place Saturday evening against the Florida Panthers.
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