Patrice Bergeron just singled out Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand in his Hall of Fame speech, as the Bruins legend took the stage, per Belle Fraser.
Tonight was supposed to be about the whole career, and the fans got their moment. But the personal part came when Bergeron started naming names.
Belle Fraser passed along the line that set it up: Bergeron said he wanted to "personally thank two teammates."
The first was the man who wore the C in Boston for 14 years. Bergeron called Chara "my captain of 14 years," and Chara was in the building to hear it.
The second was the player who lined up on his left. Bergeron described Marchand as "my left winger for most of my career," which fits a partnership that defined those Bruins teams.
The Hockey News pointed out that Bergeron and Marchand combined for 2,016 points in 2,384 games with the Bruins.
Two names, no filler, and both landed. Good speeches usually work that way.
The room was full of Bruins history. Ray Bourque, Cam Neely and Zdeno Chara's turnout at the Hall was joined by Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, head coach Marco Sturm and general manager Don Sweeney.
Why Bergeron's words for Kent Hughes matter Thursday
Bergeron also made a point of thanking his former agent, Kent Hughes, who is now the general manager of the Canadiens. HabsOnReddit shared the passage, which is short and warm.
Bergeron told him: "You were more than an agent. You were a friend, a confidant, and a supporter. You guided me in so many ways."
That lands with a little extra weight because Montreal visits Boston on Thursday. The Bruins are 13-4-1 and have won four straight, and Hughes' Canadiens sit second in the Atlantic Division behind them.
Jack Studley shared how Bergeron closed his thoughts on the franchise, saying the Bruins are "part of Boston's identity" and that being part of that history is "one of the greatest accomplishments of my life."
We covered Patrice Bergeron's thank-you to Bruins fans earlier tonight. The Bruins return to the ice Thursday against a Montreal team whose GM just got a public thank-you from the guy who now owns a Hall of Fame plaque.
Quick hits
ISLANDERSIlya Sorokin gets the net in San Jose, Andrew Gross reports, with Yaroslav Askarov opposite him for the Sharks. A real goalie duel on paper.
NASHVILLE PREDATORSHall of Fame night belongs to Pekka Rinne too, and Predators fans will be watching closely. Bergeron wasn't the only legend honored tonight.
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