Bergeron: Being Longest-Tenured Boston Athlete 'A Blessing'

BostonBruins.com -Like everyone else across New England, Patrice Bergeron was devastated when he heard the news last month that Patriots legend Tom Brady was leaving town for a lucrative free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While Bergeron is not a native New Englander, the Bruins alternate captain has adopted the Patriots as his favorite football team and has long admired what Brady and the Pats have accomplished during an unparalleled run of success.

"Unfortunately, for all of us, he left," said Bergeron.

What is fortunate for Boston sports fans is that Bergeron isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Drafted by the Brunis in June 2003, the 34-year-old is now the longest-tenured athlete in Boston sports, having spent all 16 years and 1,089 games of his NHL career in Black & Gold.

"Someone mentioned that to me the other day," Bergeron said during a virtual town hall with Bruins season ticket holders on Thursday afternoon. "I actually didn't know that I was next in line after Tom Brady...it's definitely special.

"To me, it's always been very special that I've been able to be a Bruin for such a long time and hopefully to finish my career here. I'm proud of that…it was mutual between me and the Bruins. It was wanted on both sides.

"It's been a lot of fun. For me, coming here at a very young age and getting to learn the language and also getting to know the area and the people in the community, it's been a blessing."

For now, though, that 16-year run is on hold as the National Hockey League and the rest of the sports world remains paused due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With the hiatus hitting the four-week mark on Thursday, Bergeron acknowledged it has been difficult to think about the possibility that such a promising season - one in which the Bruins led the NHL with 100 points - may not resume.

He is, however, remaining optimistic that the NHL will finish the 2019-20 campaign.

"It is disappointing," said Bergeron, who has 31 goals in 61 games this season, one off of his career high. "You're working so hard, you're at the tail end of the season, playing some pretty good hockey - we were on a bit of a roll, too. That's how you want to enter the playoffs. It is disappointing, but I don't feel like it's over yet.

"There's still plenty of hope for me. Right now, we have to deal with this situation and that's the main priority for everyone. But having said that, I still keep that hope that we'll be able to compete for the playoffs and still have that chance that I think we deserve as a team because we've had such a strong regular season."

Bergeron and his family have remained at their home in the Boston suburbs, saying "everyone is doing well" and trying to listen to the government's guidance and instructions. The four-time Selke Trophy winner did note that while it has been hard to be away from his job, spending more time with his wife, Stephanie, and children, Zack, Noah, and Victoria has been a silver lining.

"It's been a nice change," said Bergeron. "During the season, it's not too often that I can be home for this length of time. It's been nice to be with my wife and kids and waking up every day for breakfast with them.

"That being said, we all know we can't wait to get back to your normal routine, normal lives. I'm sure everyone thinks the same way. For now, it's a wait-and-see approach, trying to enjoy and make the most of it. It's out of your control, so that's how I approach it."

With no clear end in sight, Bergeron has been doing the best he can to remain in shape, a challenging task, no doubt, given his inability to get on the ice. But he has tried to get into as much of a structured routine as possible, building a workout schedule around his kids' playtime, naps, and meals.

"I'm lucky enough to have gym equipment in my basement, so I'm able to work out at home and do some of the workouts that have been sent from our strength and conditioning coach," said Bergeron, who noted that the extra rest could actually be beneficial when and if play resumes.

"I've also been on some bike rides with my kids. We have that trailer on the back of my bike so it's extra weight to carry and to give me the extra work. I've been stickhandling with a ball, too. You have to make up your own [schedule] and find ways."

Bergeron has also taken some time to re-live the magical 2011 Stanley Cup championship run, Video: Bergy Answers Season Ticket Holders Questions On Zoom. The replays have been a welcome distraction and has also helped that unforgettable squad keep in touch during these turbulent times.

"It's even better when you know the final outcome," Bergeron said with a smile. "It's easier to watch. Not as stressful…a lot of the players from that year have been texting each other and talking about those games and reminiscing about that run."

If the NHL does resume play this season, the postseason format will no doubt look a tad different than the one everyone is used to. Whether it's empty buildings, play-in series, condensed scheduling, or neutral sites, Bergeron isn't quite sure what to expect.

"There's been so many options that have been thrown out," said Bergeron, who also noted it would be very strange to not to be able to build off the energy of the fans. "You want it to be fair for everyone…I [would] probably bring [the regular-season games] up to a number that's even for everyone and then go from there…we just don't know what's coming."

Bergeron said the current group of Bruins has remained in contact through a text chain, as well as occasional phone calls and FaceTimes with players, coaches, and staff. NHLPA reps Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo have been relaying the latest information that the Player's Association has gathered from the league.

"It's hard to figure out," said Bergeron. "It's about trusting [each other] - and I do know that they're all doing their part to stay in shape and making sure that they're staying focused as far as when they're going to be called upon.

"To me, it's always about communicating and making sure everyone's gonna do their part and be excited. To take that game away from you guys as season ticket holders and us is a big deal.

"Right now, it's about priorities, but it's still hard and you're even more eager to resume when it does happen."