Ex-Enforcer Recounts Memorable Instances of Patrice Bergeron's Leadership Skills

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Dorin Canaday
May 6, 2023 (4:11 PM)

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Patrice Bergeron has had an impact on every player that's come through Boston, which was evident in this story from one retired enforcer.

Former NHL heavyweight Zac Rinaldo, who played just 52 games with the Bruins, shared an amazing story of the immediate and substantial impact that Bergeron had on him.

Perfect Example of the Captain's Leadership

Rinaldo recently appeared on the TSN 1050 radio show with Aaron Korolnek and fellow former player Carlo Colaiacovo:

''But it's not just what he does on the ice. It's how he carries himself off the ice. He holds himself to a very high standard. What he preaches, he practices. He leads by example.''

He also told a crazy story about Bergeron and Zdeno Chara's �'requirements'' for the team. Take a listen below:

Not heard in the video, but another thing that Rinaldo shared about Bergeron was his ability to take a big hit, to ultimately, show a message.

''If that's anybody else, they're laying on the ice and playing that up a little bit. But he had that pride, he had that leadership where, �Nope, I'm getting right back up.' Even if he was seeing stars, he didn't want anybody else to know that, and he got up.''

�'That, to me, really showed big leadership on his part, and I was bought in right after that.�'

It's really no surprise to hear some of the more in-depth looks into the way Bergeron leads the Bruins locker room. Amazing stuff.

As noted above, Rinaldo spent just 52 games with the Bruins during the 2015-16 season. The enforcer recorded just 1 goal and 2 assists, along with 83 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL in the 2020-21 season, where he appeared in 4 games for the Calgary Flames.

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