Bruins Great Patrice Bergeron Makes Admission Before Centennial Game

BOSTON — Patrice Bergeron took his rightful place among fellow Boston Bruins greats on Sunday.

The former Bruins captain was on hand at TD Garden to participate in the franchise’s centennial game festivities. But unlike other Bruins legends in attendance for the momentous occasion against the Montreal Canadiens, Bergeron isn’t far removed from his playing days.

Bergeron, who retired following the 2022-23 campaign after 19 seasons with Boston, even admitted there’s a piece of him that wishes he was on the ice for the milestone game instead of watching it from the stands.

“Yeah, maybe,” Bergeron said. “Same thing last year. Every time you come here, there’s a part of you that wishes you’d be out there on the ice still playing. But when I look back, like I said before, you have no regrets. I’m at peace with the decision. Just excited and happy for the guys and want to cheer them on.”

Bergeron doesn’t need to play any more with his mark on the organization already cemented. The six-time Selke Trophy winner amassed 1,040 points from 427 goals and 613 assists in his career, putting him third all-time in franchise history in the first two categories and fourth in helpers.

Bergeron likes staying around the game, though, and even indicated a couple of months ago that he could see himself working for an NHL team in some capacity.

But for now, Bergeron is fine with just being a fan and being a part of an illustrious event.

“It’s special,” Bergeron said. “Just to be a part of it is something that means a lot to me. You think about all the history that this franchise has had and the legends that have been through these doors, is very meaningful to me to be part of the celebration, especially against Montreal and their history as well.”