I feel privileged, nostalgic too, it’s obvious
explains the one nicknamed Bergie or the Tiger. But I’m glad it was done professionally because I didn’t expect that
adds the 75-year-old man, who has devoted his entire life to hockey.
The series produced by Félix St-Jacques notably stars TVA Sports host Louis Jean, who is also the one who had the original idea of paying tribute to his colleague for nearly eight years and who led the interviews for the documentary series.
The three episodes of the documentary retrace his life, from his childhood in the Saint-Michel district of Montreal to his appointment as head coach of the New York Rangers, including his foray into baseball.
Testimonials from Guy Lafleur, Mike Bossy and many others
In addition to members of Bergie’s family, Louis Jean spoke with several legends who have worked with the coach and host over the years, including Guy Carbonneau, Ron Fournier, Mario Tremblay, Alain Côté, Serge Savard, Peter Stastny, as well as the late Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur.
I was sad to see the testimonies of Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy. Guy, I knew him when he was playing in the junior […] After that, I managed it with the Rangers and the Nordiques. He became a personal friend
explains Bergie.
In the case of Mike Bossy, he was always an adversary, but in the last five years, we worked together at TVA Sports and we became buddies. In the documentary, which was filmed last September, Mike is in great shape, but cancer took him six months later. That’s why I say it’s sad.
Want to win at all costs
The documentary series highlights one of Michel Bergeron’s most stubborn character traits, his winning mentality, which sometimes led to obsession. What struck me is that everyone comes back to the same thing. When they talk about me they always say
he wants to win, he summarizes.
It was the story of my life. I loved hockey so much and one thing I knew was that if I didn’t win, I wouldn’t keep my job. So we had to win, and I was ready to do whatever it takes to get there.
He also regrets having been an absent father with his children, an attitude which he explains by his unconditional passion for his work, but also because it was in tune with the times. The children told the truth: I was an absent father. I don’t know if that was the old fashion; parents at the time did not say
I love youto their children like today
he admits.
He also adds that when he lost, he sometimes became irascible. Looking back, he wonders if he could have done things differently. Maybe if I did it again, there are a lot of things I would do differently, including my behavior, which was childish at times.
Bergie’s biggest regret, however, is never being able to get his hands on hockey’s holy grail, the famous Stanley Cup, even though he says it’s not for lack of trying.
The Nordiques fans suffered during the bad years. It would have been amazing to win the Stanley Cup for them.
Hockey, the most beautiful sport in the world
Looking back, the Tiger is still very proud of what he has accomplished and he says he is very happy to be able to continue talking about hockey, the most beautiful sport in the world
, according to him. At 75, he is aware that the best is behind him, but he is not ready to hang his microphone on TVA Sports.
In recent years, I have slowed down the work and I know that at some point, we will have to turn the page. But right now, I’m not so ready for that
he explains.
And what does he think of the evolution of the sport, which has metamorphosed since his beginnings as a coach? Hockey has changed. Today, young people train from a very young age. In my time, it was less about training. The equipment too, it has evolved so much.
He also points out another change: the workload of the coaches, which according to him has decreased enormously.
I find coaches getting a bit lazy. There are five coaches behind the bench, and the coaches delegate. In my time, I did everything: training, meetings, I was the psychologist, I was the psychiatrist. Today, they are well paid and I find that they make less and less.
This text was written from an interview conducted by Roseline Filion, sports columnist on the show Tout un matin. Comments may have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca