GLENDALE, AZPatrice Bergeron isnt the biggest talker or camera hog in the Bruins dressing room, so he was an interesting choice by the NHL for their second subject in the all-access NHL 36 productions airing on NBCVersus.
The NHL films crew basically follows an NHL player around for 36 hours to get the behind-the-scenes tour of the hockey lifestyle, and get something close to the HBO 247: Road to the Winter Classic feel thats become so wildly popular in only two seasons on the air.
Patrick Kane was the first subject of NHL 36 to excellent reviews when the show featuring the Chicago Blackhawks superstar was aired, and the cameras have trailed the Bs center over the last two days of travel preparing for tonights game against the Phoenix Coyotes.
Patrice has won a Stanley Cup, plus a gold medal at the Olympics, at the World Championship and at the World Junior Championship," said Ross Greenburg, executive producer, NHL 36. "He is one of the League's most under-rated superstars."
The mild-mannered Bergeron said he wasnt going to do anything different for the cameras outside of his normal business-like character, and joked that most of his day consisted of sleeping and getting ready for each nights game.
Its a little weird having cameras following you around all day, but its something Im a little more used to today rather than yesterday, said Bergeron. Its not in my personality to play to the camera, so its going to come out the way its supposed to. Its about my 36 hours and how I prepare for games.
It might be boring, but I told them that. Im not the biggest talker or really do that much stuff. I just go about my business. Its a road trip, so its pretty routine for all of the guys. Its the same for me. Hopefully its interesting and people will like it.
Boston Bruins
Perhaps the most interesting material will come from some of his Bruins teammates, as the NHL films crew took time to chat with Brad Marchand, Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin among others on Wednesday morning following morning skate at jobing.com Arena. Paille is Bergerons movie buddy and the two players hit the cinema on the road when the team gets the rare off day in a different NHL city. So perhaps well all know whether Bergeron likes to layer the butter in his movie popcorn, or that hes a secret Twilight movie fan when its all said and done.
But somehow both of those things seem doubtful at best.
NHL 36: Patrice Bergeron will air Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS). Narration is provided by actor and Emmy Award winner Peter Coyote. The original score is the creation of accomplished composer Ferdinand J. Smith. The show will be followed on NBC Sports Network by NHL LIVE at 7:00 p.m. ET, and the Bruins' game in New Jersey against the Devils at 7:30.