Career
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. 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. 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 National Hockey League history. With two games remaining in the 1988-1989 National Hockey League season he was relieved of his duties and replaced by general manager Philosophy Esposito.
Bergeron had drawn the ire of Esposito by vocally requesting a contract extension.
Esposito stating that the firing was rooted in "philosophical differences."
He was fired after the season. In December 1990, he was treated for a mild heart attack. 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 Tennessee Valley Authority Sports on December 19th 2013. He is a panelist before and during games when Tennessee Valley Authority broadcasts them.
Tennessee Valley Authority Sports recently acquired the rights to air rights to broadcast the Montreal Canadiens games in French.
National Hockey League
QMJHL.
