Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins were in unfamiliar territory last season after not making the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Patrice Bergeron isn’t used to not playing in the post-season and made it clear that if the Bruins are to return, everyone will need to want it.
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In a recent interview with Boston Bruins website, Bergeron didn’t fumble with words when he stated that “Everyone has to want it”. In the interview, Bergeron also stated that the 2015-16 season wouldn’t be the same as previous years in which the Bruins were consistently considered one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup year in and year out. “It’s going to be different from the past few years,” Bergeron said. “I’ve been here a little longer, and there’s been some years before where was a complete change, so it’s going to be different from the past few years — but still, I’ve been through that before, and I think it’s just about getting to know the guys on and off the ice and taking the time to do that.” Bergeron is a smart man, and he realizes that the game of hockey goes far beyond on-ice ability.
Puck Prose
Every year the Boston Bruins rookie camp goes through extensive training, but they also go on team-building excursions such as the recent trips to Fenway Park and Thompson Island in recent years. Building chemistry and friendships off of the ice make playing the game on the ice so much easier. The Bruins have been instilling that in their rookies for years and it’s clear that Patrice Bergeron hasn’t let that lesson slip away.
The informal practices the Bruins have been participating in are put together by the leaders of the team, like Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Chris Kelly. The practices aren’t exclusive to current Bruins players, as Shawn Thornton can be seen in some of the official Boston Bruins’ Twitter page over the last two seasons. Even Boston native Keith Yandle practices with the Bruins at times.
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The point of these practices is to lessen the blow of the offseason transactions by preparing as early and as often as possible for the changes. “When you come out of a disappointing year like we did last year, you have to expect changes,” Bergeron said. “It’s definitely unfortunate. You don’t want that to happen, and it’s tough to see guys go, but at the same time, it is unfortunately part of the business, and I’m excited with the guys coming in.” The Bruins will need to gel together quickly if they want to return to the post-season.
“They’re happy to be here, they want to be here, and … I guess I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to getting to know the new guys” – Patrice Bergeron
A big part of the offseason transactions were to make sure that everyone who played on the Bruins actually wanted to play for the Bruins. Players like Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes were reportedly overjoyed to sign contracts with the Bruins, Beleskey as an unrestricted free agent and Jimmy Hayes as a restricted free agent following his trade to Bean Town. The Boston Bruins will look like a much different team entering the 2015-16 season, and while they’re considered underdogs, the Bruins can never be counted out.
The full interview can be found here
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