Morning Sports Update
The former Bruins captain was humble in his response.
Patrice Bergeron remains humble: Though he was fully committed to supporting friends’ inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday (including ex-teammates Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton), former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron’s own moment being welcomed into the sport’s hallowed institution may not be far off.
Bergeron, 40, retired from his playing career in 2023 after 19 seasons with the Bruins. During that time, the perpetually valuable centerman was a three-time All-Star, a six-time Selke Trophy winner, and a vital member of the 2011 Stanley Cup champions. He was also a two-time gold medalist playing for Canada at the Olympics.
His name headlines the class of 2026 players who will be eligible for Hall of Fame induction for the first time, and TSN hockey analysts Gino Reda and Pierre LeBrun couldn’t help but speculate about Bergeron’s future.
Speaking with the former Bruin on Monday, they posed a simple question: Does Bergeron “allow his mind to go there” in terms of his own potential Hall of Fame induction?
“No, not at all,” Bergeron said in reply. “I feel like it’s almost like I don’t consider myself a part of that group.
“I think it’s hard for me to believe that,” he said of his own candidacy. “But also at the same time, I’m obviously here to support [Zdeno], but also [Duncan Keith] and [Joe] for their amazing careers. I’m just happy to be a part of this night.”
Bergeron spoke about the impact Chara had on him during their time overlapping in Boston.
“So many great memories. First and foremost was his leadership, the way that he presented himself every day,” said Bergeron. “His presence on the ice, his presence in the locker room, how he was handling the young guys and new players coming in, and obviously teaching us about accountability and making sure we were taking care of our bodies on and off the ice.
“So it was pretty special to create that bond with him, that friendship now,” Bergeron noted of Chara. “But also for him to be a mentor to me early in my career was pretty amazing.”
Chara, for his part, listed Bergeron by name in his speech.
“I want to thank Patrice Bergeron, one of the greatest leaders and people I have ever met and played with,” said Chara during his address. “My longest teammate, my co-captain — Bergy, I could always count on you. You showed me and helped me to become a better leader, player, but more importantly a better person.”
Trivia: During his lengthy NHL career, Patrice Bergeron made the Frank J. Selke Trophy — given annually to the league’s best defensive forward — his own, winning it a record six times. Who ranks second on the list of all-time Selke Trophy wins?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: He was a longtime fixture of the Bruins’ main rival and won the award four times in a row from 1978-1981.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins face the Maple Leafs tonight at TD Garden, with the puck set to drop at 7 p.m.
The Celtics play the 76ers in Philadelphia at 8 p.m.
And on Thursday, the Patriots will host the Jets at 8:15 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
A team photo: Patriots wide receivers were full of jokes during the team’s annual photo op.
On this day: In 1987, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 120-106, with Larry Bird scoring 42 points with 20 rebounds and five assists. The Bruins also got a win, downing the Maple Leafs 3-2.
Elsewhere, Roger Clemens won his second straight Cy Young Award after going 20-6 with a 2.65 ERA.
Daily highlight: From Sunday, David Rodriguez scored what’s already being called the “icicle bicycle” in Atlético Ottawa’s eventual 2-1 win over Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League final amid a snowstorm.
Trivia answer: Bob Gainey
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