Patrice Bergeron is giving his Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech tonight, and Belle Fraser has his words to Bruins fans as he delivers them.
He didn't wait long to turn to the people in the stands back in Boston, and the Bruins who filled the room for him will have heard every word.
Fraser relayed what Bergeron told the fans during the speech.
"Thank you for your passion and making this journey so special." That's the line Bergeron aimed at the Bruins faithful, and it fits a player who spent all 19 of his NHL seasons in Boston.
He also called being part of that history "one of the greatest accomplishments of my life." Coming from a man who played 1294 games for one franchise, it carries real weight.
The room itself tells you how much he meant to the organization. Fraser noted a big turnout for Bergeron, including Ray Bourque, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Marco Sturm, Cam Neely, Don Sweeney and Zdeno Chara.
We reported on the Bruins legends packing the Hall earlier tonight, and the guest list keeps growing.
Why Brad Marchand's presence matters for Bergeron's night
Brad Marchand made the trip too. The Hockey News pointed out that he showed up on Bergeron's big night.
Bergeron and Marchand combined for 2,016 points in 2,384 games as Bruins teammates. Marchand is now with the Florida Panthers and is listed on injured reserve with a knee injury, expected out until at least Nov. 21, yet he was still in the room.
For the current Bruins, the timing is hard to ignore. Marco Sturm's team sits first in the Atlantic Division at 13-4-1 and has won four straight, so McAvoy and Pastrnak went from beating Florida on Sunday to watching their franchise's history get honored on Monday.
The Bruins are back on the ice Thursday against Montreal, and the standard Bergeron set will be hanging over that room.
Quick hits
COLORADO AVALANCHEJosh Manson has been placed on long-term injured reserve, and Alex Gagne has been recalled from the Eagles. That is a real test for the Avalanche blue line depth.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERSThe Flyers announced that Joseph Woll starts in Vancouver tonight, and Rick Tocchet is reshuffling his blue line and forward group around him.
SAN JOSE SHARKSAdam Kblat reports that Aiden Celebrini, younger brother of Sharks star Macklin, left Boston University's loss and is uncertain for Tuesday.
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