Patrice Bergeron moves past Bobby Orr in goals scored as a Bruin

It was one year prior to his death, at the age of 97, Boston Bruins legend Milt Schmidt sat in his living room in Westwood, and named Patrice Bergeron as his favorite player currently in the NHL.

It’s well-documented that Bobby Orr was always Schmidt’s favorite. Bergeron was a close second. On Thursday, with very little acknowledgement, Bergeron passed Orr for eighth place on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list with goals Nos. 265 and 266.

Passing Bobby Orr in any category is momentous. Bergeron claimed he didn’t know.



“It’s not something that I’m really thinking about, to be honest with you,” Bergeron said after the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night at TD Garden. “I have a lot of respect for Mr. Orr and it’s not something that I’m really worrying about.”

Let’s put this into perfect context: Bergeron is the most humble Bruins player of his generation. Actually, he’s possibly a close second to Orr because both always put the team ahead of themselves and any personal accomplishments.

Bergeron didn’t want to discuss that he passed Orr on the scoring list, especially after a loss. It was evident Bergeron felt uncomfortable even discussing himself in the same category. The best part was Bergeron referred to No. 4 as “Mr. Orr.”

When pressed about his accomplishment, Bergeron was still standoffish a bit because he would never compare himself to Orr.

“Yeah, he’s a legend, so it’s nice, but I just learned about that,” Bergeron said. “So no different than, I guess, any other thing. I don’t really worry about that stuff.”

He would never say it publicly out of respect, but Bergeron has to feel damn good that he has more goals as a Bruin than Orr, who registered 264 in 631 games in Boston. Bergeron now has 266 in 923 games.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is a true historian of the game. He’s always been a big fan of the Bruins, so to be on the bench when Bergeron surpassed Orr had to have been a special moment.

“It’s a hell of an honor for Patrice,” Cassidy said. “Just shows you the longevity and the ability to finish he’s had here. It’s a nice milestone for him. Who’s next after that?”

The answer: Wayne Cashman with 277.

“That’s the next thing for Patrice and hopefully he catches him,” Cassidy said. “I love my old Bruins — Bobby Orr the most — but good for Pat. The more he scores the more he helps us win.”

Orr is one of the greatest players of all time. It’s understandable that Bergeron, a kid drafted in the second round (45^th overall) would never compare himself to the man who revolutionized the game.

Orr is a two-time Stanley Cup winner. Bergeron has won one Stanley Cup and could possibly win another before his career is over. As far as playing the game the right way and representing the Bruins, they're both equals.

No matter what happens for the rest of his career, Bergeron is a future Hall of Famer. His No. 37 will someday be retired and hang from the rafters at TD Garden next to the likes of Eddie Shore, Lionel Hitchman, Orr, Dit Clapper, Phil Esposito, Cam Neely, Johnny Bucyk, Schmidt, Terry O’Reilly and Ray Bourque.

This is all you need to know about Bergeron’s respect for Orr. The current alternate captain is a huge collector of hockey memorabilia. He has countless signed items. Bergeron has never asked Orr for an autograph. It would be so cool if No. 4 sent something signed to No. 37 for his accomplishment.

Whenever his playing career is over, Bergeron will be considered one of the greatest Bruins of all-time. Schmidt and Orr would agree.