As part of my job with NESN broadcasting the Boston Bruins, I often attend practice. I am there to see what the coaches are working on based on drill choices, which players are healthy, and then to talk with the players afterward to learn more about their game and lives.
That being said, there aren’t many better players or people in the game than Bruins star center Patrice Bergeron. The four-time Selke Award winner as the NHL’s top defensive forward and future Hockey Hall of Famer is a dominant force in the middle but is as humble as could be. Recently, I was able to chat with the 14-year Bruin at length about some things that I never asked him about before. Here is an edited version of that conversation.
Billy Jaffe: Where do you get your motivation from? Game in game out, you have an intensity, desire and dedication to playing a complete game. That’s not easy.
Patrice Bergeron: I don’t want to get scored on. I’m driven by finding a way to make a play defensively and then be the same way offensively. That makes me backcheck as hard as I can. Obviously playing with guys like "Pasta" (David Pastrnak) and "Marchy" (Brad Marchand) helps to go on the offensive, but not wanting to get scored against is key.
Jaffe: Are you competitive in everything you do?
Bergeron: Yes (with a good laugh)! As you saw, today at the end of practice we had a fun game that I wanted to win. I just don’t want to lose. It’s the same way with my fantasy football team. My team has been good until recently when I had an off week. Bad timing! But yes, the want to win comes with being an athlete and the sense of competition. (For the record, his fantasy football team does not have a fancy or funny name; he uses his.)
Jaffe: Is it possible to tell or teach a young player today how to have a similar mindset to yours? If so, how would you do it?
Bergeron: Lots of kids today really like working on their skills like stick-handling and shooting. While I think that is great, they also need to worry about details of the game. Those aren’t things you always learn. I learned my way coming up from older players. Biggest thing would be working on details such as taking pride in having a good stick and cutting off passing lanes. Those things are just as good as making that "through the leg" move. I try to help young guys as much as possible. Sometimes young kids get caught up in stats. Big picture: If you win and go far in the playoffs with a team, whatever your role is, it is going to buy you some more years in the league, more years as a player overall and the ability to earn different contracts. That team aspect of being a hockey player is something that we can’t forget.
Jaffe: Given your busy schedule, if you get a chance to watch NHL games, who do you like to watch and how do you watch a game?
Bergeron: I think I watch it the same way that I play it. I like to see guys in good position and making plays. You can get amazed by guys like Connor McDavid and Auston Mathews who are making plays, especially respecting the speed at which they are doing it. But I like to watch Sid (Crosby) and the way he competes all the time. He wants to be the best and wants to be at the top (of the NHL) every year. It drives him to always be the best and I can understand that feeling. He always wants the coach to give him a tap on the back of the jersey in a big moment and I can understand that.
Jaffe: Are you able to watch hockey much?
Bergeron: Not too much. I try to enjoy my family as much as I can when I get home. Getting myself and my mind away from the game a little bit is healthy and good.
Jaffe: Besides family and hockey, what are a few things you have a passion for?
Bergeron: I love to listen to music and love to find new bands all the time. I will listen to a lot of music at home through the speakers and sometimes it will drive my wife crazy. And in the offseason, I love to fish and go boating. I live on a lake and will fish for trout and walleye. I will take my boat out, put some music on and enjoy the fishing.
Jaffe: What is more fun, making a great defensive play or scoring a goal?
Bergeron: Scoring a goal is always something that gives you energy. Sometimes one night you just don’t have your legs but you get that goal and then all of a sudden you feel amazing. Scoring a goal is always a great moment, but I think the details of the game, which I take a lot of pride in personally, is something that makes me happy. Whether it’s having my stick in a passing lane and cutting off a pass, or disrupting a forecheck in some way, I am very happy with that. I may not get the same energy from it as scoring a goal, but it does make me feel good.
Jaffe: Speaking of scoring a goal, you scored the Game 7 game/series-winning OT goal against Toronto in that epic comeback in 2011. What do you remember about the moment before you scored the goal?
Bergeron: Having the puck bounce to my stick was like, "Oh, my god, it’s happening!" The moment slowed down for me and it was one of those moments where I wasn’t going to miss. And after that it was just chaos getting jumped on and having guys yelling, screaming and cheering.
Jaffe: Do you love hockey as much now as you did when you were younger and the game was carefree? How do you keep that love for the sport?
Bergeron: Yes, it’s special. It’s one of those things that even at the end of the season you’re like, "It’s been a long season," but then a week and a half later I find myself missing it so much and want to get back out there and just skate. It’s a passion and something that makes me happy unlike anything else.
