Patrice Bergeron Calls Claude Julien ‘The Best Coach I’ve Ever Had’

BOSTON — Claude Julien is the winningest coach in Boston Bruins history. Not even a four-game losing streak can take that away from him.

Julien earned his record-breaking 388th win with the Bruins earlier this month against the same Florida Panthers team his club will face Thursday night. Boston plans to honor its coach with a pregame ceremony commemorating the historic achievement, but B’s alternate captain Patrice Bergeron got the party started a little early at TD Garden.

“Ever since (Julien) came here, he kind of thought me to be a better player on both sides of the ice and really helped me develop as a leader as well off the ice,” Bergeron told reporters prior to puck drop against the Panthers. “He’s meant a lot to me and to a lot of guys in this dressing room. He deserves every recognition that he’s gotten over the years and probably more. He’s definitely the best coach I’ve ever had, and I owe him a lot.

“He deserves that recognition (Thursday night). We’re happy that it’s happening and we’re trying to use that as motivation as well and be ready for a big game.”

“Big game” might be an understatement. Boston sits three points behind Florida and the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division, but also three points away from being out of the playoffs altogether.

Bergeron and the rest of the Black and Gold will be happy to have Julien on the bench coaching them in that big game when they hit the ice.

Thumbnail photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images