20 Years Ago: The Bruins Drafted Patrice Bergeron
PUBLICATION
Dylan Robillard
June 22, 2023 (2:07 PM)
With the possibility of Patrice Bergeron's career coming to an end, it's fitting that exactly two decades ago the Bruins drafted Bergeron on June 21, 2003.
The 17-year-old was coming off solid years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), but at the time nobody could have expected the young hun to be one of the best Bruins of all time. Since he put the Bruins sweater on that June, he has been an incredible hockey player over the past 20 years.
Patrice Bergeron made his debut just a few months later after being drafted. On Oct. 8, 2003 he played in his first game logging over 10 mins of ice time.
It only took four games for Bergeron to earn his first point, logging an assist on Oct. 15 in a 2-0 Boston win in Dallas. Just a couple nights later he scored his first goal, with a power play goal and two assists against the Los Angeles Kings. The following month Bergeron scored his first goal at home on Nov. 6, 2003 He would go on to score 16 goals with 23 assists after 71 games played in his rookie year.
What followed for Bergeron will forever be remarkable, eighteen seasons of incredible play and leadership with the «C» on his chest which came a little later in his career.
In 2 decades, Bergeron has led the team to a Stanley Cup and the Stanley Cup Final on two other occasions. Patrice is a five-time Selke winner, which is awarded to the league's best defensive forward and has been nominated multiple times.
Patrice Bergeron is a legend in Boston and may be a first ballot hall of famer.
Previously on Bruins Insider
POLL |
JUIN 22 | 173 ANSWERS 20 Years Ago: The Bruins Drafted Patrice Bergeron Will Patrice Bergeron retire this summer? |
Yes | 91 | 52.6 % |
No | 82 | 47.4 % |
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