Today, he is an integral part of the Bruins' success as the team sits near the top of both the Northeast Division standings and the Eastern Conference table with two months to go in the regular season.
Bergeron has 16 goals and 20 assists in 64 games, good for sixth on his team's scoring list and is tied for fourth among all rookies. Plus, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Bergeron represented the Eastern Conference in the YoungStars Game played in St. Paul during the 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend. There, among the best young players in the game today, Bergeron showed his creative skills in setting up a goal by Carolina's Eric Staal to open the contest.
Afterward, Bergeron was already thinking about the Bruins' stretch drive as he sat in a dressing room at the Xcel Energy Center. He's heard all about the so-called "wall" that has stopped other young players in their tracks come February and March. He remains undeterred.
"I can still go hard," said Bergeron, who is among the most mature 18-year-olds around. "I don't feel tired. I try to rest as much as I can and stay fresh. But, that's never been a problem for me. I can sleep almost anywhere."
Like most teenagers, Bergeron can nod off on the team bus or plane at the drop of the hat because his mind is not cluttered with the maelstrom of misgivings and worries that invade the thought processes of others.
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"I want to keep going, keep looking forward and trying to get better and help my team as much as I can." -Patrice Bergeron
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Bergeron refuses to think about the success he has already achieved. He will not entertain flights of fancy about what lies ahead. Nor will he waste precious brainpower on conjuring up unseen potholes on his path to glory. Simply, Bergeron lives for the next game, the next practice, the next film session, always hoping to move forward in his development.
"I don't want to sit back and think about it, because that will just be too weird," he says of his success. "I want to keep going, keep looking forward and trying to get better and help my team as much as I can. I'm really happy about what I have done, but I want to keep doing more."
Bruins captain Joe Thornton has been down the path Bergeron now travels. Thornton's trek was a little more arduous, in fact. The first-overall pick in the 1997 Entry Draft, Thornton also played for the Bruins right away, managing just seven points in 55 games. He struggled in every facet of the game, including life away from the rink.
The fact that he is impressed with Bergeron's progression speaks volumes. And, Thornton is impressed -- of that there is no doubt.
"He's been spectacular," Thornton told reporters in December. "He plays on our power play, he plays on our penalty kill and you can throw him into all situations during a game. He's been stellar for us.
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Raycroft and Bergeron represented the Eastern Conference in the YoungStars Game played in St. Paul during the 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend.
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"You can give him tips and things like that, but he's so mature. He's a super player and he's just going to learn with every day he steps on the ice."
It seems Bergeron has been as adept at fooling his teammates as he is at fooling the litany of opponents he?s faced this season. Bergeron feels anything but mature in the Bruins' star-studded dressing room. For months, he admits, he was unsure how to behave in the players' sanctuary while surrounded by so many accomplished players, many of whom he idolized as a child. In the beginning, he felt that as a rookie, he should be seen, not heard.
But, quickly, the experienced Bruins took Bergeron under their wing. Martin Lapointe offered up his home, Thornton and Samsonov, another high-profile rookie during his first year, offered tips on dealing with the pressure. Brian Rolston volunteered information on opposing centers. Suddenly, almost seamlessly, Bergeron became one of the guys.
"The biggest thing that has surprised me about the NHL is how good all the guys have been," Bergeron said. "You can talk to them and they listen and they help out. Even if they are superstars, they are still approachable and willing to help you out. I thought it would be different as a rookie, that what I was thinking.
"I thought it would be just more of do your thing and listen without saying much. But it hasn't been that way. As a rookie, you still want to sit and listen and learn more than say anything. But, I'm more comfortable now for sure. I'm used to more now. I feel I can talk more, but I still don't say much. I just try to let my play speak for itself."
So far, Bergeron's inspired play has spoken volumes to the Bruins and their faithful fans.
