Bruins Charitable Events: Patrice Bergeron Edition

(Photo Credits: Lapresse.Ca)

By Liz Rizzo| Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
To describe the perfect athlete that not only has the utmost respect from his entire team but an entire league, you won’t have to think too hard to search for words.  While you could write for days describing the many ways this player continues to be an example of what a leader should be,  it’s what he does off the ice that really shows you what kind of person Patrice Bergeron is.

(Photo Credits: Boston.com)

CHARITY STARTS AT HOME

Throughout his career here in Boston, the 34-year-old Center has been involved with many local charities that have brought awareness to causes that especially involve children. Since its development in 2005, “Patrice’s Pals” has hosted countless families and pediatric patients to a Bruins game at a luxury suite at the TD Garden, where they get to enjoy VIP treatment. Immediately following a game, Bergeron personally meets with every one of his guests, signing autographs and taking pictures. To date, children that have became “Patrice’s Pals” were from the Cam Neely Foundation, Children’s Hospital in Boston,  Franciscan Hospital for Children, Joslin Diabetes Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Big Brother and Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay, Oak Square YMCA, Shriners Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.
 

(Photo Credits: NBC Boston.com)

For the past two seasons, Patrice Bergeron teamed up with radio sports personalities from the 98.5 Sports Hub for the “Pucks and Paddles” ping-pong tournament, in which fans bid to have a chance to play alongside their favorite Bruin. The event raises money for patients at the Floating Hospital for Children at the Tufts Medical Center and benefits the Boston Bruins Foundation  (which  partnered with the hospital).

This past Thursday and in it’s 11th year, Patrice Bergeron, along with Simon Gagné (who played for Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins) co-chair the annual Pro-Am Hockey Tournament held in Quebec City. The event features a match-up of professional and amateur hockey players from the area. To date, the charity tournament has raised over $1 million dollars which goes to organizations that help sick or disabled children. The fundraiser was held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City. Here listed are players that were slated to participate in the event:

DEFENDERS
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks
Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche
Mark Barberio, Colorado Avalanche
David Savard, Columbus Blue Jackets
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
FORWARDS
Paul Stastny, Las Vegas Golden Knights
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Vincent Lecavalier, Former player Tampa Bay Lightning 
Yanni Gourde, Tampa Bay Lightning
Cedric Paquette, Tampa Bay Lightning
Simon Gagné, Former player Philadelphia Flyers
Philippe Danault, Montreal Canadiens
Alex Chiasson, Edmonton Oilers
Anthony Mantha, Detroit Red Wings
Samuel Blais, Blues of St. Louis
Mathieu Perreault, Winnipeg Jets
Maxime “Max” Talbot, former Boston Bruins member, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins
 
COACHES BRUINS
Joel Bouchard, Rocket of Laval
Philippe Boucher, general manager of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and former Remparts coach
Michel Picard (recruiter for the St. Louis Blues)
 
LIGHTNING COACHES
Benoît Groulx, Syracuse Crunch
Dave Morrissette, TVA Sports
Pierre Sevigny, former Montreal Canadiens player

FINAL THOUGHTS

2019 marked his 16th year playing for the Boston Bruins organization and Bergeron has distinguish himself amongst his peers as a role-model for professional-athletes in any sport, especially in the hockey community.  Hockey players are a different breed and giving back to the community has and will continue to be a vital part of the sport. And for any player, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your career, aspiring to be like Patrice Bergeron is well, pretty damn good.