NEWARK — Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a Boston radio appearance Wednesday morning that star center Patrice Bergeron, concussed last Tuesday night, is practicing and is ”on the road to recovery.”

”So it looks good,” added Chiarelli, appearing on the Toucher & Rich show on 98.5 The Sports Hub. ”He’s working out and things are looking good.”

Bergeron suffered the fourth concussion of his career when he was bumped midway through the second period last Tuesday by Ottawa’s Colin Greening. It appeared to be a light hit, but a pal of Bergeron’s said over the weekend that 27-year-old center was left with a considerable bruise under his left ear and on his neck.


Bergeron was examined Friday by Dr. Robert Cantu, the well-known concussion expert based in Concord. Bergeron’s friend said the Selke winner was very encouraged after meeting with Cantu and was optimistic about returning to the Boston lineup.

Bergeron did not make the trip to New Jersey with the Bruins and his practice sessions presumably have been in Boston. Chiarelli did not specify the place or nature of the workouts during his radio appearance.

Here at The Rock following the morning workout, where his charges prepped to face the Devils, coach Claude Julien sounded encouraged by the news on Bergeron.

”Any time a guy starts to do something,” he said, ”it’s a step in the right direction.”

But Julien remained somewhat guarded, noting that players can be ”encouraged one day, then discouraged the next” when returning from concussions.

”We keep our fingers crossed,” added Julien, ”and hope he keeps getting better.”