Bruins Great Patrice Bergeron Would ‘Consider’ NHL Return Away From Boston

If the NHL ever permanently returns to Quebec City, Boston Bruins great Patrice Bergeron could be along for the ride.

Bergeron is firmly connected to the area as he grew up just minutes outside the Canadian city, which was home to the Nordiques before they moved to Colorado in 1995.

Quebec City hosted the NHL Thursday night with the Bruins taking on the Los Angeles Kings in preseason action, opening up questions about the league expanding to a place salivating for an NHL team -- the 18,259-seat, state-of-the-art Videotron Centre, which opened in 2015, is proof of that.

Bergeron, who accompanied Boston to an exhibition contest, is fully on board with Quebec City getting an NHL team again. Even though he has a strong allegiance to the Bruins, he wouldn't rule out being part of the expansion team's brass if that actually comes to fruition.

"It's something I would definitely consider," Bergeron told reporters, per team-provided video. "I was a big fan growing up, and it would definitely be special. But with that being said, I've been a part of an organization for 20 years in Boston, which has a big place in my heart as well. I don't know what the real answer is to that, but it's definitely something I would consider."

It's just Bergeron's second season away from hockey after the six-time Selke Award winner retired following Boston's historic 2022-23 campaign. He spent 19 seasons in the Black and Gold, amassing 1,040 points from 427 goals and 613 assists, putting him third all-time in franchise history in the first two categories and fourth in helpers.

Bergeron said he talks to Bruins general manager Don Sweeney "here and there" and answers any questions Sweeney might have about the current Boston team. That could just be a prelude to Bergeron one day joining an NHL front office or landing a coaching role in the league.

The 39-year-old isn't ready to get back to work on a full-time basis yet, but that itch could come in the future for the former Bruins captain, and it looks like Boston might not be his only avenue for a return.

"I miss the game, obviously," Bergeron said. "Hockey is a passion. It's something that I will always love. I enjoy watching it. I enjoy talking about it. Obviously, down the road there's a good chance I'd like to come back and be involved somewhere somehow in the game.

"As of right now, I'm happy. I'm in a good place. It's good for me to take a step back and be able to really think about what I want to do, but really spend time and catch up with the family."