Patrice Bergeron’s farewell to Quebec City is done. @NHLBruins@lesoleildeqc pic.twitter.com/rfevpU1SCV
– Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) August 10, 2023
Last night in Quebec City, Patrice Bergeron jumped on an NHL rink (the Centre Vidéotron is indeed NHL-calibre) for one last lap around the ice for his team. It was part of the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am.
A chorus of praise was to be expected, and that’s exactly what happened.
Clearly, both the people of Quebec City and the guests on the ice took the opportunity to celebrate the career of the man who was described on the spot as the ” ideal son-in-law “.
The crowd obviously showed their love for him. It took so long that it made the former Bruins captain uncomfortable. ” I’m the one who should be thanking them,” Bergeron added. Bergeron added in a comment that surprised no one.
This is the last year that Bergeron and Gagné will give their names to the Pro-Am. After that, it will be the Sun Life Pro-Am, and honorary captains will be appointed.
When Patrice calls, you listen. – Jordan Harris
In fact, five Canadiens players showed up at the Pro-Am, including three Quebecers. Jordan Harris, Kaiden Guhle, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Samuel Montembeault and David Savard were there.
Monty, Papa Savvy, RHP, Guhle & Harris at the Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron in Quebec City tonight. pic.twitter.com/XBVDCWAUwe
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 11, 2023
And what’s interesting is that even though members of teams other than the Bruins and Canadiens were present (including Alex Belzile, the new Rangers member who was still seen close to RHP), it was still a Canadiens/Bruins duel.
And since Nick Suzuki wasn’t present for the event, the Habs needed a captain to face the Bruins’ captain… who was, of course, Bergeron.
So it was David Savard’s turn yesterday.
David Savard with the C on the Habs jersey for the Bergeron retirement. https://t.co/WKvfIQSzh0 pic.twitter.com/3n9aMQ5cZB
– Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) August 11, 2023
In reality, it wasn’t really a complicated choice. Aside from Montembeault, who is a goalie(and in Montreal to stay, obviously), the other three guys are young.
Savard is clearly the most experienced of the five. Seeing him wear a “C” was therefore logical under the circumstances.
But that’s all there is to it. Nick Suzuki’s position is obviously not in danger: it’s just that they needed a captain yesterday. We can confirm that.
That said, I don’t hate it. You sometimes see him with an “A” on his sweater, and maybe if Suzuki hadn’t been there, he’d have been a candidate. After all, he brings a lot of leadership to the club.
In short
– To your questions.
Oh yes, it’s time for this week’s column@DLCoulisses
Come ask me your question of the week below and I’ll answer it this Sunday without fail.#GoHabsGo📷 #Hockey #NHL #nhlfreeagency pic.twitter.com/arGfnYJCDH
– Mitch Giguere (@Mitch_Giguere) August 11, 2023
– Neymar in Barcelona? [BPM Sports]
– Interesting.
My 10 Questions Q&A story with former Canadiens forward Nate Thompson@NateThompson44 #Habs #HabsIO https://t.co/wuGJB57J07
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) August 11, 2023
– Will he stay?
Dana Brown clearly wants to keep his core intact. https://t.co/TKA7193bL8
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 11, 2023