A sea of Bruins jerseys, number 37 sweaters everywhere and “Patrice, Patrice, Patrice!” echoing from all four corners of the Videotron center. Undoubtedly, the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am was an opportunity for the people of Quebec to show all their love for Patrice Bergeron.
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The 15th edition of the charity event gave a foretaste of all the honors the Quebecer, who has just retired from professional hockey after 19 seasons in the NHL, may be due in the years to come.
Several fans showed up at the Videotron Center wearing a Bruins jersey with Bergeron’s effigy on it. Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Huot
This edition of the Pro-Am will be the last for Bergeron and his sidekick Simon Gagné, as well as for the event’s founder, Alain Rioux. It was a great opportunity to cheer for the 38-year-old athlete in the Boston uniform one last time.
And Quebec fans did not miss such an opportunity. Bergeron received a long standing ovation after being introduced to the audience.
Tons of praise
The wave of love for the hockey player from L’Ancienne-Lorette also spread in the locker rooms and behind the scenes of the Quebec amphitheater, as the twenty players who accepted his invitation multiplied the good comments about him. Starting with his amazing friend and teammate Brad Marchand, who obviously did it his way.
“I’m still trying to persuade him to stay,” the little Bruins plague joked, adding that Bergeron “is the type of guy you’d want your daughter to marry.”
“Life without him will be different. He is a great mentor to everyone. He remains one of the best defensive forwards to ever play hockey,” Marchand said.
“An Idol”
The first female guest in the history of the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am, Élizabeth Giguère, praised Bergeron’s leadership in the Premier Hockey Federation, who played for Boston Pride last year.
“He’s an idol for me. He’s a guy who’s always performed well in the NHL and always been a good person,” she said.
“He’s the perfect hockey player. He is a role model for all players. […] Hopefully when he was playing there were some people taking notes,” added New York Rangers new signing Alex Belzile.
Photo QMI Agency, Pascal Huot
The parade of compliments went on for minutes. For their part, Yanni Gourde, the brothers Pierre-Olivier and Mathieu Joseph, Jordan Harris, Jakob Pelletier and others have all expressed their admiration for Patrice Bergeron.
“Life after Patrice will be a transition,” said defenseman Brandon Carlo, who shared the dressing room with the hero of the day for seven seasons. We are lucky to have been close to him and it will be up to us to find a way to continue without him. »
Boston-area Canadian defenseman Jordan Harris was clearly delighted to be attending the event.
“When Patrice calls, you listen,” he said to show all the respect he and the other players have for Bergeron.
Help the community
On Wednesday, during a virtual press conference, Patrice Bergeron recalled the importance of helping his community. Since 2009, Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron has raised more than $4 million for sick and underprivileged children in Quebec City.
On Thursday night, it was the Quebec community that made sure to give back to their local hero. “It’s sure to warm your heart,” Bergeron said, visibly touched after the game.
True to his style, he preferred to put the spotlight on those who make the event a success. “I should be thanked more than received. »
- Starting next year, the Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron will be renamed the Pro-Am Sun Life, with the names of two honorary captains who will be NHL players who rotate each year.