Steve Bernier

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Position Right Wing
Shoots Right
Nickname(s) Big Bear, el chat
Height
Weight		 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
225 lb (102 kg/16 st 1 lb)
NHL Team
F. teams		 Buffalo Sabres
San Jose Sharks
Nationality Flag of Canada Canada
Born March 31, 1985 (1985-03-31) (age 23),
Quebec City, QUE, CAN
NHL Draft 16th overall, 2003
San Jose Sharks
Pro career 2005 – present

Steve Bernier (born March 31, 1985 in Quebec City, Quebec) is a professional NHL ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres. He was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

Contents

[edit] Junior career

Bernier started his career with the Wildcats, leading his team in goals and being third in points in just his rookie year. Bernier also fourth amongst QMJHL rookies in overall scoring, and was named to the All-Rookie Team. His best season came in the year before his draft, the 2002–03 season, where he scored 49 goals and had 101 points, along with 90 penalty minutes. A very streaky player, Bernier had an 11-game, an 8-game. and a 7-game scoring streak. Statistically finishing tenth in QMJHL scoring, he was also named to the CHL Second All-Star team and won the "MVP" award from Moncton as well as other awards. In the 2003 U-18 championships, Bernier had four goals and four assists in seven games, finishing second on the team in scoring behind Marc-Antoine Pouliot. Although Bernier put up impressive numbers, many scouts were concerned with his physical conditioning and skating ability. That did not stop the Sharks, however, from trading the 21st, 66th and 107th selections to move up the 16th spot to nab him. Following the draft, Bernier put himself on a new fitness regime and lost ten pounds of body fat. Bernier went on to play 2 more seasons with Moncton.

In 2003–2004, in 66 games, Bernier had 36 tallies and 46 assists as well as 80 penalty minutes, good for second on his team. Seeing as how Bernier's numbers this season were worse than his totals his rookie year, Bernier was called a bust; many believed he had not gotten over his fitness problems. However, Bernier rounded out his game as ordered by San Jose, and became a strong two-way player. Importantly, Bernier became a more physical player and his team's leader. Showing his abilities in the clutch, Bernier had 7 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games, tying two other teammates for best on the team.

During the NHL lockout, Bernier was reportedly getting bored with Moncton and their stifling defensive system. Bernier hinted at playing in the new WHA, but he eventually returned to Moncton.

The following year in the QMJHL, Bernier's statistics dropped even lower, playing with a 2004–05 Wildcats team that was very defensively oriented. In 68 games, Bernier tallied a relatively low 71 points (35 + 36) and had 114 penalty minutes. While Bernier's numbers suffered, he gained a wealth of knowledge on how to play the defensive side of the game. The apparent decline in Bernier's play caused him to fall off top prospect's lists. His increased penalty minute totals were blamed on him being too slow and out of shape to catch the opposition legally. Yet, none of these accusations were true, as Bernier developed his game even further. Significantly, Bernier led his team in points, with the second-leading scorer (Stephane Goulet) being 24 points back. This showed that if given better linemates, Bernier could probably produce more.

Soon after the conclusion of the playoffs, the Sharks signed Bernier to his first pro contract, which expires in June 2008.

[edit] Pro career

Bernier started his first pro season, 2005–06, with the Cleveland Barons, the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate. After tallying 43 points in 49 games, the Sharks called Bernier up to the team. He scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 39 games and potted 1 goal and 5 assists in 11 playoff games.

The 2006–07 NHL season was a season of up and downs for Bernier. Starting the season off on fire with a four-game point streak, Bernier had ten points in his first eleven games before going on a five-game pointless streak. Although Bernier resumed scoring immediately after that, with twelve points in his next eleven games, including a five-game point streak, general consensus was that Bernier's play was not up to its usual standard. In the twelve games before the holiday break, Bernier only had three points, and following an embarrassing 8–0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, Bernier was sent down to Worcester (San Jose's new AHL affiliate) on New Year's Eve. However, Bernier broke his toe and missed a month's worth of games. After rehabilitation, Bernier rejoined the Sharks in late February.

On February 26, 2008, Bernier was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with a 1st round draft pick in exchange for Brian Campbell and a seventh round pick. At the time, Thomas Vanek wore number 26 for the Sabres, so Bernier chose the number 56. His reasoning: "The number two flipped upside down looks like a five".

On February 27, 2008 in his Sabres debut, Bernier scored goals on his first two shots and later added an assist, helping Buffalo to an 8–4 win over Nashville. He also gained respect from the crowd, as well as his teammates for coming to Derek Roy's defense late in the third period.

Despite his relatively low production is the remaining 15 games (1 goal, 5 assists), as well his move from the second to third line, several reports on Sabres.com seem to indicate that Bernier will remain with Sabres through free agency this summer.

[edit] Contract

Bernier's three-year entry-level contract worth US$3.55 million is set to expire in June 2008. This deal includes US$850,000 in yearly salary as well as a one million dollar signing bonus.

[edit] Stats

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2005–06 San Jose Sharks NHL 39 14 13 27 35 11 1 5 6 8
2005–06 Cleveland Barons AHL 49 20 23 43 33 - - - - -
2006–07 San Jose Sharks NHL 62 15 16 31 29 11 1 6 7 10
2006–07 Worcester Sharks AHL 10 3 4 7 62 - - - - -
2007–08 San Jose Sharks NHL 59 13 10 23 62 - - - - -
2007–08 Buffalo Sabres NHL 16 3 6 9 2 - - - - -
NHL Totals 165 44 42 86 126 22 1 6 7 10

[edit] Awards

  • 2001–2002: QMJHL - All-Rookie Team
  • 2002–2003: CHL - Second All-Star Team (Canadian Major Junior)
  • 2002–2003: QMJHL - Second All-Star Team
  • 2003–2004: QMJHL - Second All-Star Team

[edit] External links

v • d • e
San Jose Sharks first-round draft picks
Falloon • Rathje • Nazarov • Kozlov • Friesen • Riihijarvi • Zyuzin • Sturm • Marleau • Hannan • Stuart • Jillson • Goc • Morris • Michalek • Bernier • Kaspar • Setoguchi • Wishart • Couture • Petrecki