Tage Thompson shares the classy comments that Patrice Bergeron had for him prior to puck drop

It happened so quickly on Saturday evening that you probably didn't even notice it, but luckily for us Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson is sharing the details of is pre-game interaction with Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron.

Immediately prior to puck drop Bergeron had some words for Thompson, which appeared to be words of encouragement given their interaction but it goes so much deeper according to Thompson. Lace Lysowski of The Buffalo News managed to get Thompson to open up and share what Bergeron said and... well... it's just as classy as you think it would be coming from a classy player like Bergeron.

According to Thompson, Bergeron asked him how his wife Rachel is doing following cancer surgery recently.

Here's the entire interaction:

For the record, Rachel is doing great. Each of her bone scans since surgery have come back cancer-free and if her next scan comes back the same, she'll have officially beaten cancer.

“It's big,” Thompson told Lysowski following practice earlier today. “Obviously, he didn't have to say anything. He kind of went out of his way to check on her and ask how she's doing. It’s just the kind of guy he. He's just a genuine guy, cares about other people."

It's also worth noting that Saturday was "Hockey Fights Cancer Night" in Buffalo, as well.

Honestly, I knew that Thompson's wife had undergone cancer surgery a few years ago, but I had completely forgotten in the years that have passed. Bergeron is obviously a better, classier guy than me though because he certainly didn't forget. Really though... should I be surprised? Bergeron has shown us over the course of his career that he's one of the classiest players in the NHL. I mean, his comments and the leadership shown during the whole Mitchell Miller fiasco are just further proof of that.

As for Thompson, he has absolutely excelled since getting a bigger role with the Sabres. The 6'6", 220 lb mountain of a man has an incredible 11 goals and 19 points in 15 games to start the campaign. He looks like he's on pace to absolutely crush the 38 goal, 68 point season he put up last season.

Oh... and if you're not sold on him just look at this absolutely ridiculous goal he scored Saturday night:

The defensive play, the reach on that goal... shades of a prime Mats Sundin. What a goal.