Just days after signing Tuuka Rask to an 8 year, $56 million contract, the Boston Bruins have locked up another piece of their core agreeing to terms on an 8 year, $52 million contract extension with centre Patrice Bergeron. The deal carries a cap hit of $6.5 million, and will begin in the 2014-15 season. Bergeron was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

Bergeron, 27, is one of the best all-around players in the game. Producing at even-strength, matching up against other teams top lines, being amongst the best faceoff men in the league, killing penalties, and playing the powerplay. He does it all for the Bruins and is almost always amongst the conversation for the NHL’s Selke Trophy, winning the award in 2011-12. Bergeron was a big part of the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, and making it to the finals in 2013. He also played for Team Canada at the Vancouver Olympics winning a gold medal.

Last season Bergeron put up 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 42 regular season games. In 579 career NHL games, he has 153 goals and 280 assists for 433 career points. Bergeron also led the Bruins with 9 goals in the 2013 playoffs, and put up 15 points in 22 games. He reportedly played game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final with a litany of injuries including a punctured lung.

Bergeron was the Bruins 2nd round pick, 45th overall, in the famed 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has played his entire 9 year NHL career with Boston.

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