Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Bergeron Wins Messier Leadership Award

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2021

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron had a disappointing end in this season’s Selke Trophy race with a second-place finish, but the B’s center ended up landing some NHL Awards hardware this season after all. Bergeron was named the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner on Wednesday night, which is presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”

Clearly there aren’t many players around the NHL that better embody leadership on and off the ice than No. 37 as one of the most well-respected individuals in the history of the league. The award is selected by Messier himself, which certainly adds to the honor for Bergeron given the Hall of Fame player involved.

“There’s more than just X’s and O’s and playing the game of hockey. It’s about the community and what impact you can bring to people.”

B’s captain Patrice Bergeron reacts to being named the winner of the 2021 Mark Messier Leadership Award.#NHLBruins | #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/Lj1fqvx1CJ

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 24, 2021

Bergeron was named the 20^th captain of the Boston Bruins franchise prior to the season after the departure of longtime captain Zdeno Chara and led the B’s to their 13^th playoff appearance in his 17 NHL seasons with the Black and Gold.

“There’s more than just X’s and O’s and playing the game of hockey. It’s about the community and what impact you can bring to people, and obviously to your team,” said Bergeron, who finished with 23 goals and 48 points in 54 games with a plus-27 rating in another dominant two-way season for the Black and Gold. “It’s a huge honor. I’m accepting this award on behalf of our entire team and organization. Personally, I’ve always believed in leading by committee and letting others grow into leaders of their own.

“So, I want to especially thank Brad [Marchand] and David [Krejci] and the rest of our leadership group for all that they’ve done to make the Bruins such a special team to play for.”

Aside from the undeniably large amounts of winning that Bergeron is renowned for his in his hockey career, the 35-year-old L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec native has won the Selke Trophy four times, NHL Foundation Player Award in 2014 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2013.