Patrice Bergeron was drafted with the 45 th pick, in the 2 nd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The talented 6'1" 186 pound center from Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, spent the 2002-2003 season with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), part of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CHL).
Bergeron was invited to the Bruins training camp in August of 2003 and surprised everyone, himself included, by making the Bruins opening day roster. Following camp, he signed a contract with Boston and became the youngest player in the NHL. Bergeron turned 18 only weeks before training camp.
Bergeron had an outstanding rookie season ranking 5 th among all NHL rookies in points and goals, and 4 th in assists. His 39 points (16G, 23A) were the highest in the NHL out of any of the players drafted in 2003. In February, Bergeron played in the 2004 NHL Young Stars Game during All Star weekend in Minnesota. Bergeron continued his fine play in the playoffs where he was 4 th on the Bruins in scoring with 4 points in only 7 games. After the Bruins bowed out of the playoffs, Bergeron joined Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships in Prague and won a Gold Medal. He became the 3 rd youngest player to play for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships and also the 3 rd youngest to register a goal. The future looks very bright for this young star.
