Kent Hughes reveals Patrice Bergeron's true character

Boston Bruins forward and captain Patrice Bergeron continues to lead by example, both on and off the ice. And it's his play that's played a huge role in Boston stunning the rest of the National Hockey League by exploding out of the gate with their best start to a season since 1930. As of now, they hold the top record in the NHL with a sparkling 15-2 mark. 

And while Bergeron is certainly a legend in the Boston sports scene, he's left plenty of money on the table that could have gone into his bank account.

Bergeron, who hails from Quebec, was once represented by Kent Hughes, who happens to be the current general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. And during a recent interview, Hughes disclosed that Bergeron declined taking what his full market value was in order to give the Bruins more cap room. 

"There's a team four and a half hours northeast of here that is your team's greatest rival and is dying for a first line center and captain," Hughes said that he explained to Bergeron.

"He said, 'Yeah but If I make that kind of money, we'll never win. And I want to win, I want $6.5 (million).' I said six and a half? You have to be kidding me!" 

"Problem is that you can't make everybody else take less. He said, 'All I can do is lead by example, I'll do my part, and it'll be up to everyone else whether they want to fall in line.' That kind of character, there's a reason why the Bruins have had that success." 

The Bruins certainly are fortunate to have Bergeron still with them. He reportedly mulled retirement during the summer, only to pivot and sign a one year contract, which many speculate could be his final deal in the NHL.