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QMJHL: Profile of Patrice Bergeron
Written by: Phil Laugher on 06/19/2003 
The bulk of the remaining pre-draft talk centers primarily around the host of large forwards in the 2003 QMJHL draft class – the likes of Moncton Wildcats forward Steve Bernier (6'2", 229 pounds), Rimouski Oceanic forward Marc-Antoine Pouliot (6'2", 180 pounds), Halifax Mooseheads (now Cape Breton) forward Marc-Andre Bernier (6'3", 200 pounds), and Montreal Rocket (now PEI) forward Maxim Lapierre (6'2", 180 pounds). One name that seems to slip below the radar is that of Bathurst Titan forward Patrice Bergeron.
Bergeron is slight (only 6'0", 178 pounds), but size is not a concern with this gifted forward from Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec. He may not be large, but he is not afraid to get his nose dirty. What Bergeron lacks in size, he more than makes up for in skill. In his first full season with the Titan, Bergeron registered a very solid 23 goals, and a rookie-high 50 assists, playing on the high-powered northern New Brunswick squad's second line. His 73 points put him second in rookie scoring behind Halifax Mooseheads forward, Czech wunderkind Petr Vrana. After a short tryout stint in the 2001-2002 season, Bergeron, Bathurst's fifth-round QMJHL Midget Draft selection in 2001 was immediately thrust into prime ice with the Titan. Bergeron saw ice-time in many key situations during the regular season, and was battle-tested by the time the playoffs rolled around.
He centered the team's most dominant line in the playoffs, despite being filled with players of relatively little fanfare, especially playing behind the high-profile line of Janis Sprukts, Olivier Fillion, and Jonathan Ferland. He and his line-mates Michael Tessier and Karl Fournier surprisingly lit up the scoring charts in the playoffs, combining 14 goals, 28 assists in only eleven games, with most of those points coming against stalwart defensive specialists, the Halifax Mooseheads, in the second round. Though the Titan eventually bowed out to Halifax in seven games, Bergeron and his line never quit until the final whistle.
Throughout the season, Bergeron was counted on greatly for his face-off expertise. During much of the year, Bergeron's face-off success rate was amongst the league leaders in the 60-65% range. In the playoffs, his stellar success in the face-off circle continued, where through the first nine games, Bergeron's success rate was a superb 67% (though his percentage fell of drastically to 55% after two poor final games against Halifax). Face-offs are most definitely one of Bergeron's biggest strengths.
With above average speed, and great offensive awareness, Bergeron can is a very dangerous and dynamic playmaker, seeming to always spot the open man. Having numerous passing options was very important for him, and he had plenty of targets playing on the team with the fourth best offense in the league. His passing leaves many onlookers in awe.
Next season will be a very big test for Bergeron's maturity level and leadership, as the Bathurst Titan will likely not be such a dominant force in the standings. With Fillion and Sprukts moving on to higher levels, and his two line-mates Tessier and Fournier heading to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles as future considerations to a trading deadline deal between the two teams, Bergeron will be not only be expected to carry the brunt of the offensive load, but will have to. As of this moment, he does not have the targets to pass to next season. The big question heading into next season is whether his high rookie numbers were the real deal because of his great skill set and desire to succeed, or whether they were inflated as a result of playing on a strong offensive hockey team. Also, there is the question as to whether his play and stats will suffer as a result of having less experienced teammates to get the puck to.
Though his relatively poor performance late in the past season's playoffs may have only been a minor hiccup in his play and not the norm, one has to wonder whether Bergeron is a big-game player or not. While it may be too early to tell either way, and he still has several years of junior hockey left to prove himself, his offensive and face-off success nosedive in the final two games of the Halifax-Bathurst series undoubtedly had a negative effect on the potential for success for the Titan. Winning only ten draws in 38 attempts, coupled with just a single point (and a -2 rating in game seven alone) in two must-win games does leave questions open in regards to his finishing drive, especially given his previous successes and offensive production in the earlier games. Of course, it is possible that he just had a couple of off nights, and that this is nothing to be worried about in the least.
Regardless of his past long-term successes and brief inadequacies, Patrice Bergeron will shoulder a massive load for the Bathurst Titan in the 2003-2004 season. Given his skill set, he should make any NHL scouting staff that uses their pick on him very happy in the future.
Projection: late-second, early third round pick. Two-way forward.
Statistics:
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | P | PIM | Playoffs | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
| 2001-2002 | Bathurst Titan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2002-2003 | Bathurst Titan | 70 | 23 | 50 | 73 | 64 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 6 |
Copyright 2003 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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