Patrice Bergeron says he would consider joining an NHL team in his hometown of Quebec City

QUEBEC CITY – Former Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, proud son of this charming city on the St. Lawrence River, was honored in a ceremony at the Videotron Center and then dropped the puck for Thursday night’s exhibition game between the Bruins and Kings.

Bergeron, 39 and as fit and trim as he was during his playing days, met with the media for a few minutes around 5:30 p.m. and said he would consider joining an NHL team here if the league ever considers it would seek to rejoin NHL soil with a second franchise in the province of Quebec.

The Nordiques, one of the four WHA teams that merged with the NHL in 1979, moved to Denver in the summer of 1995.

“Making a comeback?” Bergeron said with a smile after a Boston reporter jokingly phrased the question, asking if he would be considered a center or even a goalie. “I don’t know, um, that’s a good question. That’s something you would definitely consider – you know, I was a big fan as a kid and it would definitely be special.”

Bergeron was treated to a video tribute before the game, including appearances from former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and frequent Team Canada linemate Sidney Crosby. Bergeron was also presented with a large oil painting of himself lifting the Stanley Cup when the Bruins last won the title in 2011.

A potential NHL club owner in Quebec City would likely like to bring Bergeron on board as the face of the franchise, whether as team president or in another key front office position. He would be well-suited to countless roles, including the most important one, identifying and developing player talent.

“That being said,” Bergeron continued, reflecting on his Boston roots and the scope of his two-decade playing career, “I have been a part of the (Bruins) organization for 20 years, which has a big place in my heart. as well as. I don’t know what the real answer to that (Quebec question) is, but I would definitely consider it.”

Now, more than a year since announcing his retirement, Bergeron said he is busy becoming a father and noted that his wife is going back to school. All of this has eased the urge to perhaps return to work, he said.

“You know, I miss the game, obviously,” he said after flying here on the Bruins’ charter flight. “Hockey is a passion, it is something that I will always love, that I enjoy watching and that I enjoy talking about. So, you know, at some point, of course, there’s a chance that I’ll want to be involved again somewhere, somehow in the game. But at the moment I’m happy, I’m doing well and it’s good for me to take a step back and think about what I want to do and also spend time keeping in touch with the family.”

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in the days surrounding Bergeron’s retirement announcement that he couldn’t wait to have him back one day.

“We’re talking,” Bergeron said, acknowledging Sweeney’s invitation to the open house. “Every time they call and have questions or something like that, I’m happy to answer them. As I said, I really enjoy talking about hockey and I care deeply about the organization. Questions here and there. Phone calls here and there. But nothing concrete. And respectfully, I think they understand that I’m with the family now.”

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at [email protected].