bostonglobe
On Saturday afternoon, Patrice Bergeron found himself in a familiar setting: the same arena where his No. 37 will soon be raised to the rafters. The Bruins icon, now 41 and a soon-to-be Hall of Famer, glided toward the faceoff circle, still appearing capable of donning the spoked-B and contributing to the promising Bruins. However, Father Time remains undefeated, and on this day, Bergeron swapped his Black and Gold for black-and-white stripes, dropping the puck as his son, Zack, lined up at the dot.
Such duties now define Bergeron's days. He helped officiate for Newton Youth Hockey as part of a Future Bruins scrimmage on Causeway Street. Since playing his final game in April 2023 after 19 seasons, Bergeron remains a regular around the rink, but his hockey schedule now revolves around coaching his sons' teams in Newton and shuttling the family to and from rinks across New England.
"I'm still the driver," Bergeron said of his role as a stay-at-home dad. "Maybe even more so now because of all the activities and everything they've got going on. We've got four [kids], so obviously the weekends are very busy, but it's fun. I'm enjoying my time with them. I'm enjoying being home more and being present — it's been great."
As part of Saturday's event, Zack Bergeron — wearing No. 37 — took the ice with his teammates for a 30-minute scrimmage ahead of the Bruins' 6-4 win over the Sharks. The elder Bergeron, who helped register Newton Youth Hockey for the Future Bruins event, mostly took in the action while skating along the boards, watching his son and teammates trade rushes as family and friends cheered along the glass.
For Bergeron, who logged more than 1,300 NHL games including playoffs, witnessing his children find their footing on the ice is one of retirement's more rewarding chapters. "Now my boys are in those shoes, and I think it's an amazing experience for them," he said of the event, which has been held for over 20 years. "I think that's what it's all about. At this age, I think we're so focused sometimes on everything else but having fun. Today, to see all the smiles and see what the sport really means and the values you learn from it, it's amazing. I'm just glad to be a part of it and try to help those kids develop."
After Saturday's skate, Charlie McAvoy — Bergeron's teammate for his final six NHL seasons — met with the kids for photos and a Q&A. When asked about his favorite part of being a hockey player, McAvoy highlighted the camaraderie and friendships forged in the locker room, especially on a Bruins team whose culture was cultivated by franchise fixtures like Zdeno Chara and Bergeron. That sentiment still resonates with Bergeron.
"I definitely miss the competition and being with the boys," Bergeron acknowledged. "Chuck was talking about what he likes most about hockey — the locker room, the friendships, it's so true. So, I definitely miss that part. But I'm definitely content and happy at home. And yeah, [life] slows down on the traveling side. But as far as the schedule? It's still very busy. My days are pretty full."
Bergeron has carved out time to watch the latest iteration of the Bruins. He gave faceoff pointers to Fraser Minten during a visit to Warrior Ice Arena last spring and likes what he sees from Boston's next wave of talent. "There's been some players that have really taken a big step forward," Bergeron said. "They're playing some great hockey. And Fraser, obviously, is a kid who is improving from one year to the next, but also has shown a lot of intangibles, details in his game, and maturity. It's great to see. You want to obviously encourage that to continue, let him grow and become his own player."
Plenty has changed since Bergeron last captained the Bruins, with only six players remaining from that 2022-23 campaign. He is heartened by what he's seen from a few familiar faces, including McAvoy and newly anointed captain David Pastrnak. "I think I always saw leadership qualities in David, and with McAvoy, as well," Bergeron said. "There's a lot of guys in that locker room who are great leaders. I think Pasta has shown to be an elite player in this league, but he's also leading the right way. I'm so happy for him. They're off to an amazing start, and hopefully they keep it going. The leadership is by committee, and I believe in that, as well. When I was there, I think we had a great group of guys and leaders, and I think they have that same luxury we had — I'm happy for them and cheering them on."
Bergeron's schedule will get much more hectic over the next few months. The six-time Selke Trophy winner will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Nov. 9. Less than a month later, he'll be back on Causeway Street with his family, watching his No. 37 be raised to the rafters.
"It's exciting," Bergeron said. "It's also, in a sense, I guess overwhelming in a way. It's awesome, and I'm looking forward to it. But it's definitely [back] in the spotlight a little bit. That's where it's going to be a little different. But definitely very appreciative and very humbling to be considered and to have the Hall of Fame celebration, but also the jersey retirement celebration. It's very meaningful and something that I'm looking forward to enjoying with family, friends, but also with the fans, for sure."
Key Analysis
Bergeron's transition from NHL star to youth hockey parent reflects a seamless shift in priorities, as he finds fulfillment in family and community involvement. His observations on the Bruins' emerging leaders, Pastrnak and McAvoy, underscore his enduring connection to the team's culture and his confidence in its future. The upcoming Hall of Fame induction and jersey retirement serve as fitting tributes to a legendary career, while Bergeron's humility and appreciation shine through as he prepares to celebrate with loved ones and fans.
Originally reported by bostonglobe.