The Boston Bruins and forward Patrice Bergeron have agreed to a new eight year contract worth $52 million with a cap hit of $6.5 million per season.
The new contract doesn't start until the start of the 2014-15 season since his previous contract was until the end of next season. Bergeron was drafted by the Bruins in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Bergeron had 10 goals, 22 assists, 32 total points, and was a plus 24 in 42 games played last season. He came up big in the playoffs by scoring the game winning goal in game seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bergeron played in 22 games, had nine goals and six assists for 15 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The center played with a broken rib, torn cartilage, and a separated shoulder during game six of the Stanley Cup Finals. He was also treated for a punctured lung after the game.
Bergeron has played in 579 games with 153 goals, 280 assists, 433 points and is a plus 70 in his career. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy for being the best defensive forward during the 2011-12 season. The center was a plus 36 that year and was a plus 24 last year, which was sixth best in the league.
He missed a majority of the 2007-08 season due to a head injury. Bergeron is one of the Bruins leaders both on and off the ice and is one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He is also versatile because he can be trusted in any situation on the ice including the power play or penalty kill.
Bergeron has only had one minus season in his career and that was back in the 2006-07 when he was a minus 28.
The center was the 2012-13 winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner for his leadership and humanitarian contribution.
Sources: capgeek.com/player/221
http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bergepa01.html
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=677835&navid=nhl:topheads
