The Boston Bruins have all but put his name and numbers in the rafters at the TD Garden. He’s been part of the Bruins organization since he was drafted, and he’s changed the way his position is played. He’s been selected to the All-Star team for the second straight year. He’s been winning hardware for the Bruins for the last few years, and was instrumental in winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.
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Patrice Bergeron – Forward
Games Played: 80
Goals/Assists/Points: 32/36/68
The Bruins alternate captain had another outstanding year in the Black and Gold. The three-time Selke winner was the team leader in points averaging .85 points per game. The 30-year old forward finished among the top twenty in the league in goals(14th) and overall points (18th). He finished in the top ten in two other categories as well. He was eighth in the league in power play goals (12) and seventh in the league in shots (282).
Bergeron is one of those players that is capable of astonishing hockey even while injured. The injuries he has played through these last few seasons proves his commitment to the Bruins. Once again, Bergeron was a wounded warrior for the Black and Gold. He spent the final weeks of the season hampered by an ankle injury and still played solid hockey.
Bergeron has been one of the best centers in the league these last few years and this year was no exception. He made every player that was on his line this season(with the exception of Brett Connolly) play better hockey. He won 57.1% of the battles in the faceoff circle(That’s 3.5% higher than his closest Selke rival, Anze Kopitar.). He was outstanding on special teams as well for Boston, netting 25 of his points while on the power-play. He has become the best defensive-minded forward and hockey, and he’s all but a lock for his fourth Selke in five years when it’s awarded again this summer.
At the Bruins season ending press-conference, questions were asked about how moveable the Bruins were. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney emphatically stated that Patrice Bergeron wasn’t going anywhere. He was the only player that he considered immovable.
Final Grade: A+ (Had it been anything else, I’d be hopelessly wrong.)