BOSTON — Patrice Bergeron lauded new Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan on Tuesday, describing his happiness upon hearing that Sullivan, his first coach at the professional level, had rejoined the NHL head-coaching ranks.
One day later, Sullivan returned the favor.
The former Boston Bruins coach said before Wednesday’s Bruins-Penguins matchup that he always believed Bergeron would do great things for the Bruins.
“Yes, I did,” said Sullivan, who coached Boston for Bergeron’s first two NHL seasons. “When I had him, he was an 18-year-old kid, and he surprised everybody coming out of training camp. And he’s done nothing but get better and improve from there. Patrice is a quality person. He’s a great player. It doesn’t surprise me one bit what he’s been able to accomplish.”
Bergeron made his Bruins debut less than four months after the team selected him in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft. He tallied 16 goals and 23 points as an 18-year-old rookie and has been a cornerstone of the franchise ever since.
“None of us expected him to make the team back then,” Sullivan said. “It’s a hard league. It’s a man’s league, and it’s a hard league to break into as an 18-year-old. But he certainly raised eyebrows, and he earned his way. It wasn’t like we handed it to him. He earned his way. But he’s a quality person. It doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
Sullivan was fired by the Bruins following the 2005-06 season. Bergeron, who is tied for the team lead in goals, assists and points this season, is the only one of his former players still playing for the B’s.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
