Patrice Bergeron would prefer you don’t vote him to the 2019 NHL All-Star Game
Bergeron's mind is not exactly fixated on socializing with the rest of the league's best players two weekends from now.
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is no stranger to the NHL’s All-Star Game. He has participated in the festivities twice, in 2015 and 2016. This year, Bergeron is Boston’s selection for the first-ever Last Men In fan vote, in which fans can vote for the final player included on each division’s All-Star roster.
By all accounts, Bergeron should be a strong candidate for the Atlantic division team. Though he has missed 16 of Boston’s 43 games due to injury this season, the Bruins’ star has already tallied 38 points and is on pace to blow his career high of 73 points out of the water, even with missed time.
But Bergeron’s mind is not exactly fixated on socializing with the rest of the league’s best players two weekends from now. In fact, he told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich Wednesday morning he would prefer fans not vote for him at all so he can use the time off to rest with his family.
Patrice Bergeron just told us that he would rather you not vote him in for the All Star Game. His reason? He just had a newborn and could use the rest. #Bruins
— Toucher & Hardy (@toucherandhardy) January 9, 2019
“No, not really,” Bergeron said when asked if he cares about being voted to the All-Star Game. “I’ve got a newborn baby boy, so obviously that time off would be nice to be home.”
Bergeron’s wife, Stephanie, gave birth to their second son on Dec. 2, 2018.
#NHLBruins president Cam Neely with a special announcement here at the Winter Warmer.
Congratulations to Bergy and his wife, Stephanie, on the birth of their baby boy this morning! 👶 pic.twitter.com/MWNtIZrMnj
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 2, 2018
The couple’s first child, Zach, was born in 2015, and their daughter, Victoria, in 2017, according to Boston Sports Journal.
Though Bergeron’s apathy for attending All-Star Weekend are rooted in a family-first mentality, his mindset is not unique among NHL players. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin told the league last week he would miss the game, even after he was voted the Metropolitan Division team captain for the event. Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, too, has already pulled out of the event in favor of rest and relaxation.
It’s not over yet, though. The NHL All-Star Game Last Men In vote is open through Jan. 10. Fans can submit up to ten ballots per day, so we may still see the Bruins’ alternate captain in San Jose with the stars, despite his wishes.
