Chris Wagner's recent story just adds to what kind of a leader Patrice Bergeron

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Dorin Canaday
May 16, 2022 (3:27 PM)

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Bruins fans know what they get with Patrice Bergeron.

A two-way phenom. Clutch playoff performer. A true leader. And most of all, a Boston Bruins legend to the end of time.

All the talk surrounding the franchise right now is the captain's future and where he might end up. There's always the worry that he's going to leave in free agency for another team, but Bergeron has openly stated that he would rather retire than not play for the Bruins. We all know he's got a few good years left in him!

One of Bergeron's best attributes as a hockey player is his leadership. He spent 14 seasons helping captain Zdeno Chara lead the Bruins to three Stanley Cup Finals and winning one. When Chara left in the summer of 2020, there was no doubt who would be the next to wear the "C."

Chris Wagner spoke to the media today at the Bruins' "breakup day" and discussed what Bergeron has meant to him in his years with the team. Wagner spent all of the regular season with Boston's affiliate Providence Bruins of the AHL, and he discussed how Bergeron helped him be a leader on that young team:

"Once I was present down there [AHL] and kind of embraced the role, it was fun being in the locker room. Being the old guy, I probably felt like Bergy a little bit. It's rewarding when you see guys do well, and I tried to text everybody who was coming up and gave them pointers ... He [Bergeron] was texting me pretty much once a month just to check on me [while in Providence], so I think you've got to do that to the younger players down there and make sure everybody is okay. It's one thing being at the rink, but they could be going through things away from the rink too. I think he does a really good job with that and he doesn't fake it at all. He actually cares about everyone in this room. It's definitely something I take away from him."

Such a fantastic look into what Bergeron does for his teammates. He is not just helping them with hockey but if anything is bothering them in life. He is a true leader, and it will be awfully sad when he goes.

Watch Wagner's full media coverage here:

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