Bergeron On If He Can See Himself Playing Anywhere Else But Boston

As per a few reports from media members covering the exit avails for the Boston Bruins this week, Patrice Bergeron was asked about his future and if he could see himself playing in any other uniform. He said he needed time to make a decision, but was pretty definitive about the ‘other jersey’ question when he said, “No.”

Related: Bergeron Says It’s “Too Soon” and “Too Raw” to Predict Future With Bruins

If his answer is more an indication that he could retire than test free agency and play for a team like the Montreal Canadiens, it will be a sad day for the hockey world. Bergeron embodied what it meant to be a decent human being and a professional hockey player. He was the face of the league when it came to hockey players having a reputation as being among the nicer and more respectable athletes, even though they often tried to kill each other on the ice. Bergeron, should he retire, will go down as one of the greatest two-way players in the history of the NHL.

A perfect example of how classy Bergeron is, he waited after the Bruins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 to see every one of his teammates off the ice with a handshake or a hug. Some people thought this might have been an indication he was moving on, but others pointed out this was his traditional way of ending a game. He did this for everyone, every time.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy was asked about this possibly being Bergeron’s last run and he responded, “I’m not the guy to answer that. … I hope not.” We’re all in agreement.

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