Gary Bergman
Encyclopedia
Gary Gunnar Bergman was a professional ice hockey
defenceman
playing in the NHL
mostly for the Detroit Red Wings
. He was also a part of Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series
.
of the Western Hockey League
called up the young defenceman currently on the MJHL's
Winnipeg Braves. After two years with the Warriors, and solid defensive play, Bergman moved into the American Hockey League
and continued to gain experience while skating with four different AHL squads, including the Buffalo Bisons
, Cleveland Barons, Quebec Aces
, and the Springfield Indians
. It was after this last season in 1964 that the NHL
finally took notice. The Detroit Red Wings
claimed Bergman in the 1964 Intra-League Draft on June 10 and put the hard-working defenceman to the test.
finals and lost to the Montreal Canadiens
in six games. Bergman was the man tangled up with Montreal’s Henri Richard
when Richard scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal against Detroit in overtime during Game 6 of the 1965–66 final series. Bergman, like all Wings from that season, was convinced Richard pushed the puck in with his glove and the goal should not have counted. He said this after the game,
Bergman continued to improve his defensive and offensive roles on the team throughout the early 1970s. His well-rounded play made him useful on both the power-play and penalty-killing units for the Wings. Although he incurred his share of penalties, Bergman wasn't considered a surly opponent on the ice. He rarely looked for trouble but also never backed down from an onrushing opponent, whether he was a fancy scorer or a power forward. While all eyes were on young superstars like Bobby Orr
and Brad Park
, the Red Wings were a mediocre team that continued to lose respect in the league, especially with the retirement of Gordie Howe
. Bergman started turning to the community, becoming involved in many outside charities and organizations. He was particularly involved with helping disabled children and adults. He was one of the most liked NHLers off the ice due to his charity work and in 1973 he was named co-winner of the Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award
.
After 10 years as a Wing, Bergman was traded to the Minnesota North Stars
for fellow veteran blueliner Ted Harris on November 7, 1973. One thought as to why he was traded stemmed from Bergman speaking out when he disagreed with the decisions of coach Ned Harkness
. He would post 26 points to go along with his consistent defensive play in the 1973–74 season for the North Stars.
After one year he was reacquired in the off-season on October 1, 1974 by the Red Wings for Detroit's 3rd round draft pick in 1975 (who ended up being Alex Pirus
). He would score 30 points for his former team before being traded again the following year. Along with Bill McKenzie
, Bergman was traded on August 22, 1975 for Peter McDuffe
and Glen Burdon
to the newly formed Kansas City Scouts
where he would spend his final NHL season. In 1975–76, Bergman would record his second highest point total of his NHL career, scoring five goals and tacking on 33 assists to finish with 38 total points.
Bergman retired with 367 points in 838 regular season games. In nearly a decade and a half of NHL service, he had the chance to play in only 21 post-season games, 12 of them taking place in 1966.
and John Ferguson
invited him to play with Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series
. Bergman recounted the day he was asked to play for his country,
and chipped in with three assists. He would posthumously be honored for his defensive efforts in 2005, when the team was honored, en masse, as members of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
playing in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
mostly for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. He was also a part of Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series
Summit Series
The Summit Series was the first competition between the Soviet and an NHL-inclusive Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September 1972...
.
Minor league career
The professional hockey world had its first look at Bergman in 1957 when the Winnipeg WarriorsWinnipeg Warriors
The Winnipeg Warriors were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League. They were founded as an expansion team in 1980, but suffered from attendance problems competing with the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and ultimately moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1984,...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
called up the young defenceman currently on the MJHL's
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
Winnipeg Braves. After two years with the Warriors, and solid defensive play, Bergman moved into the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
and continued to gain experience while skating with four different AHL squads, including the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons (AHL)
The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
, Cleveland Barons, Quebec Aces
Quebec Aces
The Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
, and the Springfield Indians
Springfield Indians
The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
. It was after this last season in 1964 that the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
finally took notice. The Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
claimed Bergman in the 1964 Intra-League Draft on June 10 and put the hard-working defenceman to the test.
NHL career
Bergman joined the Detroit Red Wings for the 1964–65 season and looked very comfortable as a freshman. In 58 games, Bergman held back his offensive instincts while focusing on his defensive work. Gradually he gained confidence and seniority on the team. He played solidly when the Wings reached the 1966 Stanley CupStanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals and lost to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in six games. Bergman was the man tangled up with Montreal’s Henri Richard
Henri Richard
Joseph Henri Richard is a former professional ice hockey player who played centre with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1955 to 1975...
when Richard scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal against Detroit in overtime during Game 6 of the 1965–66 final series. Bergman, like all Wings from that season, was convinced Richard pushed the puck in with his glove and the goal should not have counted. He said this after the game,
"I took him down and held his stick in my hand, there was no way he could score."
Bergman continued to improve his defensive and offensive roles on the team throughout the early 1970s. His well-rounded play made him useful on both the power-play and penalty-killing units for the Wings. Although he incurred his share of penalties, Bergman wasn't considered a surly opponent on the ice. He rarely looked for trouble but also never backed down from an onrushing opponent, whether he was a fancy scorer or a power forward. While all eyes were on young superstars like Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
and Brad Park
Brad Park
Douglas Bradford Park is a retired ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings...
, the Red Wings were a mediocre team that continued to lose respect in the league, especially with the retirement of Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
. Bergman started turning to the community, becoming involved in many outside charities and organizations. He was particularly involved with helping disabled children and adults. He was one of the most liked NHLers off the ice due to his charity work and in 1973 he was named co-winner of the Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award
Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award
The Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award was an award given to a National Hockey League player who made "outstanding contribution to humanitarian or community service projects"...
.
After 10 years as a Wing, Bergman was traded to the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
for fellow veteran blueliner Ted Harris on November 7, 1973. One thought as to why he was traded stemmed from Bergman speaking out when he disagreed with the decisions of coach Ned Harkness
Ned Harkness
Nevin D. "Ned" Harkness was a successful NCAA head coach of ice hockey and lacrosse at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Cornell University and of ice hockey at Union College. Harkness was also head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and later was the team's general manager...
. He would post 26 points to go along with his consistent defensive play in the 1973–74 season for the North Stars.
After one year he was reacquired in the off-season on October 1, 1974 by the Red Wings for Detroit's 3rd round draft pick in 1975 (who ended up being Alex Pirus
Alex Pirus
Joseph Alexander Pirus is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 159 NHL games for the Minnesota North Stars and Detroit Red Wings. He was drafted 41st overall in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft from the University of Notre Dame by the North Stars.Currently a member of -External...
). He would score 30 points for his former team before being traded again the following year. Along with Bill McKenzie
Bill McKenzie
William Ian McKenzie is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies in the National Hockey League .-Awards:...
, Bergman was traded on August 22, 1975 for Peter McDuffe
Peter McDuffe
Peter Arnold "Pete" McDuffe was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Kansas City Scouts and Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League and the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey AssociationMcDuffe won the 1970–71 CHL Most...
and Glen Burdon
Glen Burdon
Glen William Burdon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 11 games in the National Hockey League for the Kansas City Scouts.-External links:...
to the newly formed Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
where he would spend his final NHL season. In 1975–76, Bergman would record his second highest point total of his NHL career, scoring five goals and tacking on 33 assists to finish with 38 total points.
Bergman retired with 367 points in 838 regular season games. In nearly a decade and a half of NHL service, he had the chance to play in only 21 post-season games, 12 of them taking place in 1966.
1972 Summit Series
In 1972 Bergman received a huge compliment when Harry SindenHarry Sinden
Harry James Sinden was the long-time general manager, coach, and president for the Boston Bruins NHL hockey team, and was the coach of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series...
and John Ferguson
John Ferguson, Sr.
John Bowie "Fergy" Ferguson Sr. was a professional ice hockey player. Ferguson played as a left-winger for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1971.-Early years:...
invited him to play with Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series
Summit Series
The Summit Series was the first competition between the Soviet and an NHL-inclusive Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September 1972...
. Bergman recounted the day he was asked to play for his country,
"Harry called me Sunday morning. Janie and the kids and I were just going out the door to church, and I had to stop. Janie was saying, 'Would you get off the damn phone, we have to get to church.' It was Harry Sinden on the phone asking me if I'd be part of the team."Bergman played an important defensive role in all eight games against the Soviets
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and chipped in with three assists. He would posthumously be honored for his defensive efforts in 2005, when the team was honored, en masse, as members of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Awards and achievements
- Turnbull Cup (MJHL) championship (1959)
- Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship (19591959 Memorial CupThe 1959 Memorial Cup final was the 41st junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The George Richardson Memorial Trophy champions Peterborough TPT Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association in Eastern Canada competed against the Abbott Cup champions Winnipeg Braves of...
) - Selected to Team Canada for 1972 Summit SeriesSummit SeriesThe Summit Series was the first competition between the Soviet and an NHL-inclusive Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September 1972...
- Played in NHL All-Star GameNational Hockey League All-Star GameThe National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
(1973) - “Honoured Member” of the Canada's Sports Hall of FameCanada's Sports Hall of FameCanada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
- “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of FameManitoba Hockey Hall of FameThe Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...