The heartwarming story of how Patrice Bergeron saved a Bruins teammate from the depths of depression

An incredible story from one of the classiest players in NHL history.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
The heartwarming story of how Patrice Bergeron saved a Bruins teammate from the depths of depression
TSN

When bubble NHL/AHL forward Gemel Smith found himself placed on waivers for the second time in a week last season, he just couldn’t deal with it. First he’d been waived by the Dallas Stars, then after just three games with the Boston Bruins he was placed on waivers yet again.

“I made myself go to a sunken place,” Smith told Joe Smith of The Athletic in an exclusive interview. “I couldn’t sleep for a month. I felt very alone. I isolated myself from everyone because I’m a guy that keeps to myself.

“That’s where I went wrong — why I should have talked to somebody (who could) help me through it.”

Then… he did talk to someone. Bruins teammate Patrice Bergeron picked up on Smith’s depression and encouraged him to reach out for help.

“This is a real common thing,” Bergeron told Smith.

“No one thinks (they) need help,” Smith says now. “I’m really strong mentally, but no one is strong enough, because it affects me in a way, my lifestyle. I wasn’t excited to wake up. I didn’t have anyone.”

“No one wants to get help, and then you finally realize it’s too late.”

In Smith’s case, he was able to pull himself out of depression with renowned sports psychologist Max Offenberger, but it was Bergeron’s ability to read his teammate that ultimately got things started for Smith.

In support of #BellLetsTalk tomorrow, Michael Farber has more on the importance of not suffering alone: