Bruins' Bergeron Named Finalist For NHL Foundation Award
BOSTON (CBS) -- Patrice Bergeron is up for some more NHL hardware, but this award has nothing to do with his performance on the ice.
The league announced Friday that Bergeron has been named a finalist for the 2014 NHL Foundation Award, given annually to the player "who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community."
Bergeron's charitable contributions away from the ice have been consistent since he joined the Bruins in 2004. Boston's alternate captain has been involved in countless charitable endeavors over the years, including the development of the Patrice's Pals program, which brings patients from local hospitals and others children's organizations to TD Garden to experience a Bruins home game.
Children invited to the game sit in the official Patrice's Pals luxury suite and meet Bergeron postgame to sign autographs and take pictures. To date, children from Children's Hospital Boston, the Cam Neely Foundation, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Joslin Diabetes Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Big Brother and Big Sister of Massachusetts Bay, Oak Square YMCA, Shriners Hospital, The Jimmy Fund, Home for Little Wanderers, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, among others, have all participated in Patrice's Pals.
In addition to Patrice's Pals, Bergeron also makes personal visits to hospitals in the Greater Boston Area and is active in the organization's charitable initiatives. Last year, he was named the 2013 King Clancy Trophy Winner, which is awarded annually to an NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
Last week, Bergeron was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL forward who demonstrates the best defensive skill
The other finalists for this year's NFL Foundation Award are Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks.
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