Now available on the Vrai platform, the series is in three stages Bergie, the man behind the coach invites us to explore the man behind the character, while reliving Michel Bergeron’s career behind the benches of various hockey teams and on television.
I feel privileged, nostalgic too, obviouslyexplanation of the so -called Bergie or the Tiger. But I’m glad it was done professionally because I didn’t expect thatadded the 75-year-old man, who has dedicated his entire life to hockey.
The series produced by Félix St-Jacques is notably starring TVA Sports host Louis Jean, who also had the original idea to pay tribute to his colleague for almost eight years and who led the interviews for in the documentary series.
The three episodes of the documentary go back to his life, from his childhood in Montréal’s Saint-Michel district to his appointment as head coach of the New York Rangers, including his entry into baseball.
Testimonials from Guy Lafleur, Mike Bossy and many more
In addition to Bergie’s family members, Louis Jean spoke to 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 latter. Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur.
I was saddened to see the testimonies of Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy. Guy, I knew him when he was playing junior […] After that, I managed it with the Rangers and the Nordiques. He became a personal friendBergie explained.
In the case of Mike Bossy, he has always been an opponent, but for the past five years, we have worked at TVA Sports and we have become friends. In the documentary, shot in September, Mike is in good condition, but cancer picked him up six months later. That’s why I say sad.
Want to win by all means
The documentary series features one of Michel Bergeron’s toughest character traits, his winning mentality, which sometimes leads to obsession. What surprised me was that everyone came back to the same thing. When they talk to me they always say he wants to win, he summarizes.
This is the story of my life. I love hockey and one thing I know is that if I don’t win, I won’t keep my job. So we had to win, and I was willing to do anything to get there.
He also regrets being an absent father to his children, an attitude he explained through his unconditional passion for his work, but because it was timely. The children told the truth: I was an absent father. I don’t know if that’s the old trend; the parents did not say then I love youto their children like todayhe admits.
He also added that when he loses, sometimes he becomes noisy. In retrospect, he wonders if he has done differently. Maybe if I repeat, I will do a lot of different things, including my habit of being once childish.
Bergie’s biggest regret, however, is never getting his hands on hockey’s holy goblet, the famous Stanley Cup, even though he says it wasn’t for lack of testing.
Nordique fans have suffered through bad years. It would be amazing to win the Stanley Cup for them.
Hockey, the best sport in the world
In retrospect, Tiger is still proud of what he has accomplished and he said he was so happy to be able to continue talking about hockey, the best sport in the world, according to him. At age 75, he knows he’s behind the best, but he’s not yet ready to hook up his microphone to TVA Sports.
Over the years, I have slowed down the task and I know that at some point, we will need to turn the page. But so far, I’m not quite ready for thathe explains.
And what does he think of the evolution of the sport, which has changed since he started as a coach? Hockey has changed. Today, young people are training from a very young age. In my time, it’s not so much about training. The equipment, too, has evolved a lot.
He also pointed to another change: the workload of coaches, which he said has been drastically reduced.
I find the coaches a bit lazy. There are five coaches behind the bench, and the coaches are delegates. In my time, I did everything: practice, meetings, I’m the psychologist, I’m the psychiatrist. Now, they are well paid and I have seen that they earn less.
This text was written from an interview conducted by Roseline Filion, sports columnist on the show Tout un matin. Comments can be edited for clarity and brevity.
Source: Radio-Canada
