Kent Hughes has often praised the leadership qualities of Patrice Bergeron, his former client. “The most modern leader I know,” he has already told us.
Posted yesterday at 8:20 p.m.
Add Frédéric Brunet to the list of those who can attest to this.
Brunet is an 18-year-old defender, color holder of the Rimouski Oceanic, who was claimed at 132e rank of the repechage, Friday. It was the Boston Bruins who drafted him, in one of those stories where life does things right.
It’s because Brunet trains in Quebec at the PEPS in the summer, and Bergeron is one of those with whom he lifts cast iron. “I met him once. I was embarrassed to talk to him, it’s not easy to talk to an accomplished player,” said Brunet in the Bell Center interview area on Friday afternoon.
“So he was the first to speak. He must have felt that I was embarrassed to talk to him, continues the young man. I told him how I felt about the draft, that Boston was the team that showed me the most interest. We talked for five or ten minutes, it helped me calm down a bit. He just said good luck to me and that changed everything. Words from players like him are things you never forget. »
PHOTO BOB DECHIARA, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Patrice Bergeron
Brunet is a defender, not a forward, although the Elite Prospects site lists him in both positions. “I played a game as a striker last year because we lacked players! “, he explained when he was informed of the error. Nevertheless, he admires Bergeron, like many other players.
It’s amazing to have a presence like him at the gym. There aren’t two guys like him in the NHL, especially not a Quebecer. He knows what he’s doing, he’s serious. I always watch him in the gym.
Frédéric Brunet, about Patrice Bergeron
The connection with Bergeron amused Ryan Nadeau, co-director of amateur scouting for the Bruins, because Brunet did not mention the number 37 in the interviews he had with the scouts of the former team of Glen Featherstone.
“Several Quebec Francophones we meet will mention Patrice during our interviews,” reveals Nadeau. But others avoid doing so. They may be afraid of appearing to compare themselves to him. We haven’t talked about Patrice, but now that we know that, maybe we’ll do it! »
A project
More seriously, Nadeau seemed intrigued by Brunet, claimed in his second year of eligibility. In 2020-2021, the 18-year-old athlete was limited to 9 points in 33 games. This season, he hatched offensively with 46 points in 63 games.
We’ve been following him for a while. His offensive production has increased sharply. We really liked his progress and he added defensive aspects to his game.
Ryan Nadeau, Bruins co-director of amateur scouting, on Frédéric Brunet
The Bruins have also invited Brunet to a last hour interview late Wednesday afternoon, the day before the first round, at their hotel in Montreal. It was also with this team that the young man had his very first interview. “It’s with Alain [Bissonnette, recruteur des Bruins au Québec] that I had my first interview. When I saw him going on the mic, my heart started beating fast. I heard my name, in French, from a Quebecer in Montreal. It was amazing! »
Brunet is also distinguished by an impressive family background. He is one of the many players in this draft who grew up surrounded by elite athletes, as our colleague Alexandre Pratt pointed out in a robust compilation.
“We don’t want to exaggerate the scope of genetics. He’s the one being fished out, not his family! warns Nadeau.
“His brother is trying to go to the Olympics, his father and uncle have been there. When you grow up in such a competitive environment, it comes with determination. It’s probably more of a good story than a real postman, but it certainly doesn’t hurt him. »