A Special Player
Bergeron's work is elite in all three zones
Monday, 04.23.2012 / 3:36 PM
/ Features
By John Bishop
- BostonBruins.com
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BOSTON, MA -- Chris Kelly, one of the B's best two way forwards, spent part of this morning talking about the work of another of the game's best, Patrice Bergeron.
Kelly highly endorsed his fellow center's candidacy for the NHL's Selke Trophy awarded annually to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."
"Yeah, I think that’s fantastic," said Kelly. "Obviously, it's well deserved.
"I’m sure if you ask anyone in this locker room they’ll say the same and I think if you ask most guys throughout the league they’ll say the same thing.
"It’s bang on with that nomination."
Kelly was also bang on with his description of Bergeron as a center who has elite enough skill to be at the top of the NHL's scoring list, but who simultaniously takes pride in his work all over the ice when other forwards concentrate mostly on the opposing goal.
"He’s a professional," said Kelly. "He handles himself extremely well on and off the ice.
"He comes to work every game, every practice and works at his game in all three zones. He’s not just working on the defensive part of the game or the offensive part of the game.
"That’s what makes him such a special player."
What also makes Bergeron special is the humility with which he treated his nomination.
"I mean I take pride in on playing both sides of the rink and the little details in order to help the team win as much as I can," said Bergeron. "I think this award is somewhat...compensating the guys that play on both sides of the ice, so yes I’m happy with it.
"But at the same time I don’t really believe in individual awards as much as the team efforts. I think every time you’re nominated for an award like that it’s because of your teammates."
However, Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien said this morning that it's often Bergeron who makes the Black & Gold better.
"There’s no doubt that Patrice deserves this; the way he’s played this year, the things he’s done to be nominated, how good he’s been defensively," said Julien, who later added, "He just never stops to amaze you with his commitment to playing."
Kelly highly endorsed his fellow center's candidacy for the NHL's Selke Trophy awarded annually to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."
"Yeah, I think that’s fantastic," said Kelly. "Obviously, it's well deserved.
"I’m sure if you ask anyone in this locker room they’ll say the same and I think if you ask most guys throughout the league they’ll say the same thing.
"It’s bang on with that nomination."
Kelly was also bang on with his description of Bergeron as a center who has elite enough skill to be at the top of the NHL's scoring list, but who simultaniously takes pride in his work all over the ice when other forwards concentrate mostly on the opposing goal.
"He’s a professional," said Kelly. "He handles himself extremely well on and off the ice.
"He comes to work every game, every practice and works at his game in all three zones. He’s not just working on the defensive part of the game or the offensive part of the game.
"That’s what makes him such a special player."
What also makes Bergeron special is the humility with which he treated his nomination.
"I mean I take pride in on playing both sides of the rink and the little details in order to help the team win as much as I can," said Bergeron. "I think this award is somewhat...compensating the guys that play on both sides of the ice, so yes I’m happy with it.
"But at the same time I don’t really believe in individual awards as much as the team efforts. I think every time you’re nominated for an award like that it’s because of your teammates."
However, Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien said this morning that it's often Bergeron who makes the Black & Gold better.
"There’s no doubt that Patrice deserves this; the way he’s played this year, the things he’s done to be nominated, how good he’s been defensively," said Julien, who later added, "He just never stops to amaze you with his commitment to playing."
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