Bergeron, who had been off skates since sustaining a Grade 3 concussion Oct. 27, was on the ice for approximately 10 minutes Sunday, and increased that to 20 minutes yesterday, skating on his own inside Ristuccia Arena following the Bruins' late-morning workout. It was a leisurely session, one in which Bergeron didn't break a sweat as he skated in circles, stretched muscles, and fired pucks into an open net.
The Bruins, with their playoff hopes very much alive after taking 9 of a possible 10 points on a just-concluded five-game road trip, will be back on Garden ice tonight with the Ottawa Senators in town. Meanwhile, Bergeron, if he is not set back by headaches and other postconcussion symptoms, hopes to skate again on his own, and perhaps build on the 30-minute base he established the last two days.
"I am here, and I am on my skates," said Bergeron, who was injured when drilled into the boards by Flyers defenseman Randy Jones. "But I have to be smart."
In other words, there is no knowing whether Bergeron will be able to make it back to the lineup this season or would be more prudent to resume serious workouts when training camp rolls around in September. He has dropped 15 pounds from his playing weight of 195, and it likely will take him weeks to build back the weight, muscle, and stamina necessary to play in the NHL, especially at this time of the season. Getting back into the game in October, when everyone is starting up their games again, is vastly different than jumping back in during March, April, or May with a Stanley Cup awaiting at the finish line.
"I'd like to be back as soon as I can," said Bergeron. "I want to get back in as soon as I am ready. But at the same time, I don't want to push myself."
Bergeron took the ice at 12:16 p.m. and exited at 12:36, spending most of the time shooting wristers into the net. A couple of teammates, including Dennis Wideman, made a point of popping out of the dressing room to watch him.
"I've been away so long," said Bergeron. "You realize how much you miss it. It's my passion."
