Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron In Las Vegas
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron is once again in Las Vegas representing the Black and Gold at the annual NHL Awards. The 30-year old forward was nominated for the Frank J. Selke earlier in the year. This is his fifth nomination. If Bergeron wins this year, this will be his fourth Selke Award, making him only the second person in NHL history to achieve that honor. (He’ll share that place with in history with Bob Gainey, who is in the Hall of Fame.)
“It’s special, you know”, said Patrice Bergeron to Boston Bruins.com at the media day event for the Awards. “It’s always a great honor to be nominated, but at the same time, it’s one of those things where I wouldn’t change the way I play whether I’m nominated or not.”
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Bergeron took a moment to thank his fellow Bruins for helping him get his Selke nomination as well.
“That’s the way I was brought up. It’s special. There’s no individual awards without the help of your teammates and that goes without saying. It’s fun to be here.”
Bergeron once again was the bright spot in a disappointing season for the Black and Gold. Bergy was the team’s top scoring, tallying 68 points this year. Bergeron’s consistency partially defines him as a player, but what makes him standout is his desire to never stop learning about the game of hockey.
“It drives me a lot,” offered the Bruins alternate captain on the way he looks at the game. “I think it’s about trying to push your limits. That’s the way I always say it: be better as a person, but always as a hockey player.”
“It’s about learning and trying to tweak things here and there and talk to other guys, the way that they approach different plays and what not. Trying to be better is definitely important, to stay on top of your game and I think a lot of guys – everyone’s doing that — but it’s always fun to find ways to make yourself more competitive.”
Bergeron’s numbers should give him the edge this year over his fellow competitors for the Selke. They are Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Kesler and Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar, who was recently awarded the captaincy of his team (something the Bruins should look to sooner than later).
Kesler took a moment with the Bruins media team to compliment Bergeron on his style of play.
“He’s a great player, great talent, great skill,” said the Anaheim forward. “He works hard and I think that’s why he’s up for this award every year.”
Bergeron will find out if he’s earned another footnote in NHL history tomorrow night.