Steve Bernier

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1985)}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | image = Steve Bernier - New Jersey Devils.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Bernier with the New Jersey Devils in 2014 | birth_place = Quebec City, Quebec, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 220 | position = Right wing | shoots = Right | league =  | prospect_league = | prospect_team = | played_for = San Jose Sharks Buffalo Sabres Vancouver Canucks Florida Panthers New Jersey Devils New York Islanders | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|3|31}} | ntl_team = | draft = 16th overall | draft_year = 2003 | draft_team = San Jose Sharks | career_start = 2005 | career_end = 2020 }} '''Steve Bernier''' (born March 31, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. Selected in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2003 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks, Bernier would play for the Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders during his time in the NHL.

==Playing career== ===Junior=== As a youth, Bernier played in the 1998 and 1999 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Quebec City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-02-12|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After capturing the 2001 Air Canada Cup, while being named Tournament MVP, with the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy,<ref>{{Cite web|title=2001 Air Canada Cup|url=http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/7960/la_id/1.htm|accessdate=2009-03-24|publisher=Hockey Canada}}</ref> Bernier was drafted first overall in the 2001 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Midget Draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hockey Future's Top 50 Prospects|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/7354/hockeys_future_top50_prospects2650/|accessdate=2008-10-27|publisher=HockeysFuture.com}}</ref> He played his entire four-season major junior career with the Moncton Wildcats. In his rookie year, he led Moncton in goals and finished fourth among QMJHL rookies in overall scoring; he was named to the 2001–02 QMJHL All-Rookie Team. His most productive junior season came in his draft year, 2002–03, when he scored 49 goals and 101 points, ninth in League scoring. He was named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Going into the 2003 NHL entry draft, the San Jose Sharks traded their 21st, 66th and 107th selections in exchange for the 16th overall position, with which they used to draft Bernier. Upon being drafted, Bernier played two more seasons with Moncton and was named once more to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 2003–04. Helping lead Moncton to the 2004 QMJHL Finals, he scored seven goals and ten assists in 20 playoff games. However, the Wildcats were eliminated by the Gatineau Olympiques in five games. In his fourth and final junior season, in 2004–05, Bernier tallied 71 points (tops in team scoring) and 114 penalty minutes in 68 games, but it marked the second-straight season his offensive output had dropped. Soon after being eliminated in the second round, the Sharks signed Bernier to his first professional contract, a three-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roundup: Shanahan decides to return to Wings|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2005-07-28-roundup_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA|accessdate=2008-10-27|date=2005-07-28|newspaper=USA Today}}</ref>

===Professional=== ====San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres==== [[Image:Steve Bernier vs Brad Ference.jpg|thumb|right|Bernier fighting Calgary Flames defenceman Brad Ference as a member of the Sharks]] Bernier split his first professional season, 2005–06, between the Sharks and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Barons. He scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 39 games with the Sharks for a successful rookie season. His first NHL goal was scored on November 12, 2005, against Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars.<ref>{{cite web|title=Barons weekly review| date=21 November 2005 |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3242517|accessdate=2008-10-27|publisher=OurSports Central}}</ref> In the 2006 playoffs, he added one goal and five assists in 11 games, as San Jose was eliminated in the second round.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Midway through his sophomore season, Bernier was sent back to the AHL after the Sharks suffered an 8–0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sharks demote two top youngsters to AHL|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2717983|date=2007-01-02|access-date=2008-07-06|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> However, Bernier soon broke his toe and missed a month's worth of games. After rehabilitation and ten games with Worcester (San Jose's new AHL affiliate), Bernier rejoined the Sharks in late February.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}

On February 26, at the 2007–08 trade deadline, Bernier was sent to the Buffalo Sabres, along with a first-round draft pick, in exchange for defenceman Brian Campbell and a seventh-round pick. The next day, in his Sabres debut, Bernier scored two goals on his first two shots and later added an assist, helping Buffalo to an 8–4 win over the Nashville Predators. At the time, Thomas Vanek wore number 26 for the Sabres, so Bernier chose the number 56 instead.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

====Vancouver Canucks==== [[Image:Steve Bernier 2009 training camp.jpg|thumb|right|Bernier during the Vancouver Canucks' 2009 training camp]] As Bernier became a restricted free agent at the end of the season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2010 and a third-round draft pick in 2009 (Los Angeles' selection). While Bernier was admittedly surprised with the trade, he expressed approval in moving to Vancouver.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canucks acquire Steve Bernier from Sabres|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canucks-acquire-steve-bernier-from-sabres-1.754024|access-date=2008-07-06|publisher=CBC Sports | date=2008-07-04}}</ref> Four days later, he was extended a one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet by the St. Louis Blues, which the Canucks quickly matched.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canucks match Blues' offer, keep Bernier|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/24146709.html?location_refer=Wild:highlightModules:1|accessdate=2008-07-09|date=2008-07-09|publisher=Star Tribute}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Playing in his first season with Vancouver, he injured both his left shoulder and left toe after missing a check on defenceman Brett Lebda and hitting the boards on November 24, 2008, against the Detroit Red Wings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Luongo has company|url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/story.html?id=4e1acba6-2732-47a6-b38c-36571ca71755&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Ftopstories.atom&p=1|access-date=2008-11-28|date=2008-11-26|publisher=Faceoff.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521004320/http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/story.html?id=4e1acba6-2732-47a6-b38c-36571ca71755&add_feed_url=http:%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Ftopstories.atom&p=1|archive-date=2011-05-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he was only briefly sidelined and, setting career-highs in assists and points, he was awarded the Fred J. Hume Award as the team's unsung hero.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canucks announce 2008–09 award winners|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=417489|access-date=2009-04-10|date=2009-04-09|publisher=Vancouver Canucks|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413034747/http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=417489|archive-date=2009-04-13}}</ref> Although Bernier was seen at the start of the season as a promising candidate for the Canucks' top line with the Henrik and Daniel Sedin,<ref>{{cite news|title=Bernier gets to work early for Canucks|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/canucks/story.html?id=84f873c4-9aef-4562-9c4b-b996f8f52fbe|access-date=2009-10-05|date=2008-08-22|newspaper=Vancouver Sun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107062953/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/canucks/story.html?id=84f873c4-9aef-4562-9c4b-b996f8f52fbe|archive-date=2012-11-07}}</ref> he settled into a third-line checking role with linemates Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond in the latter stages of the season.<ref name=loads/> Following the Canucks' second round elimination to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bernier was re-signed to a two-year, $4 million contract on May 14, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Nucks re-sign Bernier|url=http://www.canada.com/Nucks+sign+Bernier/1599864/story.html|accessdate=2009-05-15|date=2009-05-15|publisher=CanWest News Services}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In preparation for the 2009–10 season, Bernier reported to training camp {{convert|15|lb}} lighter.<ref name=loads>{{cite news|title=Loads of potential in Canucks' third line |url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/vancouver-canucks/story.html?id=2056292&add_feed_url=http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/SP6Atom.aspx?id=894638 |accessdate=2009-10-05 |date=2009-10-01 |newspaper=The Province }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

====Florida Panthers==== On June 25, 2010, during the 2010 NHL entry draft, Bernier was traded, along with Michael Grabner and the Canucks' first-round choice in the Draft (25th overall, used to select Quinton Howden), to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532855|title=Florida Deals D Ballard To Vancouver|author=NHL.com|date=2010-06-25|publisher=FloridaPanthers.com|accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> In November 2010, Bernier missed eight games with a right eye injury. Later in the season, he was placed on waivers by Florida on February 24, 2011, but went unclaimed. Remaining with Florida, he missed the final two games of the season with a shoulder injury,<ref name=tsn/> finishing with 15 points (five goals and ten assists) over 68 contests in 2010–11. Set to become a restricted free agent in the off-season, Florida chose not to tender Bernier a qualifying offer, giving him unrestricted status on July 1, 2011.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

====New Jersey Devils==== [[File:Steve Bernier 2013-02-02.JPG|thumb|left|Bernier with the New Jersey Devils in February 2013]] Without a contract at the start of the NHL's training camp period, he was invited to the New Jersey Devils' training camp in September 2011.<ref name=tsn>{{cite web|title=Steve Bernier|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2837|accessdate=2011-10-27|publisher=The Sports Network}}</ref> Within a month, he accepted an AHL contract with New Jersey's minor league affiliate, the Albany Devils.<ref>{{cite news|title=Albany Devils sign Steve Bernier|url=http://www.thealbanydevils.com/albany-devils-sign-steve-bernier/|access-date=2011-10-27|date=2011-10-27|publisher=Albany Devils|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029150906/http://www.thealbanydevils.com/albany-devils-sign-steve-bernier/|archive-date=2011-10-29}}</ref> Bernier was later signed to a one-year, two way contract with the Devils on January 30, 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/greene_back_at_practice_henrique_still_sore_bernier_joins_devils_zajac_not_skating_yet/ | title = Greene back at practice; Henrique "still sore"; Bernier joins Devils; Zajac not skating yet | publisher = NorthJersey.com | date = 2012-01-30 | accessdate = 2012-01-30 | archive-date = 2012-02-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120203161837/http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/greene_back_at_practice_henrique_still_sore_bernier_joins_devils_zajac_not_skating_yet/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Bernier joined Ryan Carter, and Stephen Gionta to become one of the most prolific fourth lines in the NHL — known as the CBGB line; they combined for 21 points in 24 games during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.<ref>{{cite web | title=Devils 'CBGB Line': Where Are They Now? - the Hockey Writers Hockey History Latest News, Analysis & More | date=2 November 2022 | url=https://thehockeywriters.com/devils-cbgb-line-carter-gionta-bernier/ }}</ref>

However, in Game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, Bernier received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding after hitting Los Angeles Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi from behind with 9:50 remaining in the first period. The ensuing five-minute major penalty led to three Kings goals, including the Stanley Cup-winning goal (when a major penalty is assessed, the entire five-minute penalty must be served) and a commanding three-goal advantage over the Devils at the end of the first period. The Kings went on to win the game 6–1, clinching the series and winning the franchise its first Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=WATCH: Devils forward Steve Bernier's Game 6 penalty led to 3 Kings goals|url=http://tracking.si.com/2012/06/12/steve-bernier-devils-boarding-penalty-kings/|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

====New York Islanders==== After four seasons within the Devils organization Bernier left as a free agent, and approaching the 2015-16 season he signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders on September 17, 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=779466 | title = Bernier agrees to terms | website = New York Islanders | date = 2015-09-17 | accessdate = 2015-09-18}}</ref> He'd appear in 24 games with the club, scoring 6 points. He spent the subsequent season with the team's AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

On June 9, 2017, the team re-signed Bernier to a two-year, two-way contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/bernier-agrees-to-two-year-deal/c-289858242 | title = Bernier agrees to two-year contract | website = New York Islanders | date = June 9, 2017 | accessdate = June 9, 2017}}</ref>

Having conclude his contract with the Islanders following the 2018–19 season, Bernier as a free agent opted to continue within the Islanders organization by agreeing to return for his fourth season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on a one-year contract on July 11, 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.soundtigers.com/news/detail/sound-tigers-sign-five-forwards-two-defensemen | title = Sound Tigers sign 5 forwards, 2 defensemen | website = Bridgeport Sound Tigers | date = July 11, 2019 | accessdate = July 11, 2019 | archive-date = July 14, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190714234719/https://www.soundtigers.com/news/detail/sound-tigers-sign-five-forwards-two-defensemen | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Retirement=== Bernier would take on a player development role for the Moncton Wildcats in August 2021, effectively ending his playing career.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Huestis |first1=Courtney |title=Wildcats welcome back alumnus, Steve Bernier |url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq-wildcats/article/wildcats-welcome-back-alumnus-steve-bernier/ |website=Moncton Wildcats |access-date=21 September 2021 |date=August 10, 2021}}</ref>

==International play== {{MedalTableTop| name = no}} {{MedalCountry|{{ih|CAN}}}} {{MedalSport|Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|IIHF World U18 Championships}} {{MedalGold|2003 Russia|}} {{MedalCompetition|Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament}} {{MedalGold|2002 Slovakia|}} {{MedalBottom}} Bernier made his first international appearance at the 2001 World U-17 Challenge with Team Quebec. He tallied six points in six games; Quebec failed to medal.

At the under-18 level, he competed at the 2002 Eight Nations Tournament in Slovakia with Team Canada and captured gold. During his second year of major junior with Moncton, Bernier competed in the 2003 World U18 Championships in Russia. He captured his second-straight gold medal with Team Canada in a 3–0 win against Slovakia. He recorded eight points in seven games, finishing second in team scoring behind Marc-Antoine Pouliot.

==Career statistics== ===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 1998–99 | Quebec AA Aces | QAHA | 28 || 33 || 23 || 56 || 24 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 1999–2000 | Quebec AA Aces | QAHA | 26 || 12 || 23 || 35 || 42 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2000–01 | Ste-Foy Gouverneurs | QMAAA | 39 || 17 || 35 || 52 || 48 | 16 || 9 || 17 || 26 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2001–02 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 66 || 31 || 28 || 59 || 51 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2002–03 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 71 || 49 || 52 || 101 || 90 | 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2003–04 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 66 || 36 || 46 || 82 || 80 | 20 || 7 || 10 || 17 || 17 |- | 2004–05 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 68 || 35 || 36 || 71 || 114 | 12 || 6 || 13 || 19 || 22 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2005–06 | Cleveland Barons | AHL | 49 || 20 || 23 || 43 || 33 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2005–06 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 39 || 14 || 13 || 27 || 35 | 11 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2006–07 | Worcester Sharks | AHL | 10 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2006–07 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 62 || 15 || 16 || 31 || 29 | 11 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2007–08 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 59 || 13 || 10 || 23 || 62 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2007–08 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 17 || 3 || 6 || 9 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2008–09 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 81 || 15 || 17 || 32 || 27 | 10 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 7 |- | 2009–10 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 59 || 11 || 11 || 22 || 21 | 12 || 4 || 1 || 5 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2010–11 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 68 || 5 || 10 || 15 || 21 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2011–12 | Albany Devils | AHL | 17 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 8 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2011–12 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 32 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 16 | 24 || 2 || 5 || 7 || 27 |- | 2012–13 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 47 || 8 || 7 || 15 || 17 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2013–14 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 78 || 3 || 9 || 12 || 33 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2014–15 | Albany Devils | AHL | 9 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 17 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 67 || 16 || 16 || 32 || 28 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2015–16 | New York Islanders | NHL | 24 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 9 | 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 33 || 16 || 10 || 26 || 26 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2017–18 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 63 || 21 || 14 || 35 || 36 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 | New York Islanders | NHL | 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2018–19 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 62 || 24 || 18 || 42 || 87 | 5 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 20 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 637 !! 105 !! 125 !! 230 !! 300 ! 74 !! 9 !! 14 !! 23 !! 44 |}

===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2001 World U-17 Hockey Challenge|2001 | Canada Quebec | U17 | 5th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |-bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2002 World U-17 Hockey Challenge|2002 | Canada Quebec | U17 | 4th | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 |- | 2002 | Canada | IH18 | {{gold1}} | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2003 | Canada | WJC18 | {{gold1}} | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 22 ! 8 ! 10 ! 18 ! 20 |}

==Awards== *Won the Air Canada Cup with the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy in 2001. *Named Air Canada Cup MVP in 2001. *Named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team in 2002. *Named to the CHL Second All-Star Team in 2003.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} *Named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 2003 and 2004. *Won the Fred J. Hume Award (Vancouver Canucks' unsung hero) in 2009.

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Steve Bernier}} *{{icehockeystats|legends=20898}}

{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Milan Michalek | title = San Jose Sharks first-round draft pick | years = 2003 | after = Lukáš Kašpar}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernier, Steve}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Albany Devils players Category:Bridgeport Sound Tigers players Category:Buffalo Sabres players Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers Category:Cleveland Barons (2001–2006) players Category:Florida Panthers players Category:Ice hockey people from Quebec City Category:Moncton Wildcats players Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:New Jersey Devils players Category:New York Islanders players Category:San Jose Sharks draft picks Category:San Jose Sharks players Category:Vancouver Canucks players Category:Worcester Sharks players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen