Mike Sullivan Makes Statement on Patrice Bergeron's Retirement
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan coached Patrice Bergeron early in his legendary career.
Patrice Bergeron, a long-time staple of the Boston Bruins franchise, called it a career on Tuesday afternoon. Bergeron played 19 seasons for the Bruins and posted 1,040 points across 1,294 games in his career.
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan had the pleasure of coaching the sure-fire Hall-of-Fame center early in his coaching career. He had very nice things to say about Bergeron upon his retirement Tuesday.
On October 18th, 2003, Bergeron scored his first career NHL goal and Sullivan was behind the bench for the milestone. Sullivan would be the bench boss that season and then again two years later following the lockout during the 2004-05’ season. Sullivan was relieved of his head coaching duties following that season.
Upon Sullivan’s hiring as the Penguins’ coach in December of 2015, Bergeron made sure to go out of his way to praise Sullivan when he found out the news.
It is clear the two individuals have a great respect for one another. Bergeron’s career may never have happened as it did if it wasn’t for Sullivan. Bergeron’s Hall-of-Fame resume will certainly go down in the record books as one of the best two-way careers of all-time.
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