Michel Bergeron (hockey coach)

This article is about Michel Bergeron the former NHL head coach. For the article about the former hockey player, see Michel Bergeron (ice hockey).

Michel Bergeron (born June 12, 1946 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a former National Hockey League head coach.

Bergeron began his coaching career behind the bench of a midget team from Rosemont, Quebec. During his second season, he led the team to a national championship. He then took over for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs of the QMJHL, leading the team to two Memorial Cup appearances.[1]

Bergeron coached the Quebec Nordiques from 1980 to 1987. His teams gained a reputation for playing a high scoring, quick paced game. As coach, Bergeron also devoted significant time to pursuing European players, adding the Stastny brothers after their defection from Czechoslovakia.[2] His teams reached the postseason in each of seven years behind the Quebec bench, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Just before the 1987 draft, Bergeron was being traded to the New York Rangers for a first round draft pick and $75 000, a first in the NHL history. Relations had become strained between the head coach and Quebec management, in spite of on-ice achievements, and Bergeron's reputation as a strong motivator enticed the Rangers, who were seeking coaching stability. With two games remaining in the 1988–89 NHL season he was relieved of his duties and replaced by general manager Phil Esposito. Bergeron had drawn the ire of Esposito by vocally requesting a contract extension; Esposito stating that the firing was rooted in "philosophical differences."[3]

Bergeron returned as Nordiques coach during the 1989–90 NHL season, presiding over a ghastly 12-win season that is still the worst in franchise history. He was fired after the season. In December 1990, he was treated for a mild heart attack.[4]

Bergeron earned the nicknames of "Le Tigre" ("The Tiger") and "Napoleon", in reference to his fiery temper, small stature, and French lineage. Bergeron reportedly even got under the nerves of Cuban leader Fidel Castro; in 1964, Bergeron was the catcher on a travelling Canadian baseball team, and, despite of the tradition of visiting teams showing deference to the Cuban executive during his appearances in games, Bergeron cut down Castro as he attempted to score.

Bergeron served as panelist on the popular French talkshow "l'antichambre" which is broadcast on RDS. He spent 6 years with RDS and he was nicknamed "le capitaine" on the talkshow. Bergeron quit RDS for TVA Sports on December 19th 2013. He is a panelist before and during games when TVA broadcasts them. TVA Sports recently acquired the rights to air rights to broadcast the Montreal Canadiens games in French.

Coaching record

NHL

Team	Year	Regular season							Post season
		G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Finish	Result
QUE	1980–81	74	29	29	16	-	(78)	4th in Adams	Lost in first round
QUE	1981–82	80	33	31	16	-	82	4th in Adams	Lost in third round
QUE	1982–83	80	34	34	12	-	80	4th in Adams	Lost in first round
QUE	1983–84	80	42	28	10	-	94	3rd in Adams	Lost in second round
QUE	1984–85	80	41	30	9	-	91	2nd in Adams	Lost in third round
QUE	1985–86	80	43	31	6	-	92	1st in Adams	Lost in first round
QUE	1986–87	80	31	39	10	-	72	4th in Adams	Lost in second round
NYR	1987–88	80	36	34	10	-	82	5th in Patrick	Missed playoffs
NYR	1988–89	78	37	33	8	-	(82)	3rd in Patrick	(Fired)
QUE	1989–90	80	12	61	7	-	31	5th in Adams	Missed playoffs
Total		792	338	350	104

QMJHL

Team	Year	Regular season							Post season
		G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Finish	Result
TRO	1975–76	72	36	31	5	-	77	2nd in East	Lost in second round
TRO	1976–77	72	38	24	10	-	86	3rd in Dilio	Lost in first round
TRO	1977–78	72	47	18	7	-	101	1st in Dilio	Won President's Cup
TRO	1978–79	72	58	8	6	-	122	1st in Dilio	Won President's Cup
TRO	1979–80	72	36	27	9	-	81	4th in Dilio	Lost in first round

External links

• Coaching statistics

Preceded by Maurice Filion Jean Perron	Head coach of the Quebec Nordiques 1980–87 1989–90	Succeeded by Andre Savard Dave Chambers
Preceded by Phil Esposito	Head coach of the New York Rangers 1987–89	Succeeded by Phil Esposito