Canadian Patrice Bergeron ditches Oilers to support ex-teammate Brad Marchand in Stanley Cup Final

Former Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron made it known where his loyalties lie in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final: supporting Brad Marchand.

During an appearance on NESN published on June 9, Bergeron declared his support for former teammate and current Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand.

The six-time Selke Trophy winner stated:

“I'm really cheering for Brad. People are saying, are you cheering for Florida or Edmonton? I'm like, I'm cheering for Brad. I just want him to get it. He deserves it.”

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand were teammates on the 2011 Boston Bruins team that defeated the Vancouver Canucks to capture its first Stanley Cup championship since 1972.

Bergeron was then asked about his loyalty to his home country of Canada, as the Edmonton Oilers are a Canadian-based team. However, Bergeron made it clear his loyalties lie with friends, not teams.

He was asked:

“But you're Canadian. It's been a bit since a Canadian team has won the Cup. Are you sure about this?”

To which Bergeron replied:

“As I said, he's my boy. I have to go with him. And it's also Trent Frederic on the other side, who's a good friend as well from the Bruins for a little bit. So it's not easy. Again, it's for Brad that I'm doing it.”

Expand Tweet

Brad Marchand is chasing his second career Stanley Cup, while the Panthers are looking to win back-to-back titles after defeating the Oilers last spring in a thrilling seven-game series.

Looking back on Patrice Bergeron’s connection to Brad Marchand

Bergeron and Marchand played together for 13 seasons in Boston - Source: Imagn

Patrice Bergeron was the Bruins’ second-round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. Taken 45th overall, Bergeron made his debut with the Bruins during the 2003-04 season, playing in 71 games. In total, Bergeron played 1,294 NHL games, scoring 427 goals and 1,040 points, all in Boston.

Meanwhile, Brad Marchand was the Bruins’ third-round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. He would make it to the NHL in 2009-20 season, playing 20 games.

Marchand didn’t play his first full season until 2010-11 when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. That season, Marchand scored 21 goals and added 41 points in 77 games.

From there on, Bergeron and Marchand played together for 13 seasons. Bergeron retired following the 2022-23 season, with Marchand taking over as the team’s captain the next season.

However, Marchand was playing on an expiring contract this year, prompting the slumping Bruins to move him to the Florida Panthers at this year’s trade deadline.

Marchand now has a chance to achieve something he couldn’t do with Bergeron in Boston: Win a second Stanley Cup.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

Know More

Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet responds to critics questioning his loyalty to Canada, Bobby Orr's support following 4 Nations drama

Edited by Nestor Quixtan