Report: Bruins C Bergeron vows to be back this season

Jan 10, 2009 - 12:07 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is optimistic a concussion will not put an end to his season.

In his first public statement since suffering the injury, Bergeron told the Boston Globe on Friday he is confident in his eventual return to the Bruins' lineup.

"I'm very confident I'll play this year," Bergeron told the newspaper. "It's a matter of when. That's why I don't want to put a date on it and get disappointed, like I was last year in the playoffs. I've learned from that. So yes, I do think I'll be back."

A native of Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, Bergeron suffered his second concussion in as many seasons during a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on December 20.

Bergeron was told by Dr. Robert Cantu that he suffered a concussion because he took a blow to the jaw when he checked Carolina defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, according to the newspaper.

"Especially after talking to the doctor, with that type of hit right on the jaw, it has nothing to do with last year's hit," said Bergeron, who wears a mouthpiece and a specially designed Reebok helmet. "He said it would have happened to almost anyone."

Bergeron missed all but 10 games in 2007-08 with a concussion.

The 23-year-old has recorded four goals and 14 assists in 31 games this season for the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins.

A second-round selection in the 2003 draft, Bergeron has collected 76 goals and 131 assists in 270 contests over his five-year career with Boston.

In the early stages of his career, Bergeron helped Canada win three consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Championship from 2004-06.