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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.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Junior

[edit]

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.[1]

After capturing the 2001 Air Canada Cup, while being named Tournament MVP, with the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy,[2] Bernier was drafted first overall in the 2001 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Midget Draft.[3] 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]

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.[4]

Professional

[edit]

San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres

[edit]
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.[5] 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]

Midway through his sophomore season, Bernier was sent back to the AHL after the Sharks suffered an 8–0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.[6] 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]

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]

Vancouver Canucks

[edit]
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.[7] Four days later, he was extended a one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet by the St. Louis Blues, which the Canucks quickly matched.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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,[11] he settled into a third-line checking role with linemates Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond in the latter stages of the season.[12] 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.[13]

In preparation for the 2009–10 season, Bernier reported to training camp 15 pounds (6.8 kg) lighter.[12]

Florida Panthers

[edit]

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.[14] 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,[15] 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]

New Jersey Devils

[edit]
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.[15] Within a month, he accepted an AHL contract with New Jersey's minor league affiliate, the Albany Devils.[16] Bernier was later signed to a one-year, two way contract with the Devils on January 30, 2012.[17]

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.[18]

However, in Game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals, 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.[19]

New York Islanders

[edit]

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.[20] 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]

On June 9, 2017, the team re-signed Bernier to a two-year, two-way contract.[21]

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.[22]

Retirement

[edit]

Bernier would take on a player development role for the Moncton Wildcats in August 2021, effectively ending his playing career.[23]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2003 Russia
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2002 Slovakia

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

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 Quebec AA Aces QAHA 28 33 23 56 24 — — — — —
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
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
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
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
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
2007–08 San Jose Sharks NHL 59 13 10 23 62 — — — — —
2007–08 Buffalo Sabres NHL 17 3 6 9 2 — — — — —
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
2010–11 Florida Panthers NHL 68 5 10 15 21 — — — — —
2011–12 Albany Devils AHL 17 3 3 6 8 — — — — —
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 — — — — —
2013–14 New Jersey Devils NHL 78 3 9 12 33 — — — — —
2014–15 Albany Devils AHL 9 1 4 5 17 — — — — —
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
2016–17 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 33 16 10 26 26 — — — — —
2017–18 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 63 21 14 35 36 — — — — —
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
2019–20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 20 2 2 4 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 637 105 125 230 300 74 9 14 23 44

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2001 Canada Quebec U17 5th 4 1 3 4 4
2002 Canada Quebec U17 4th 6 3 3 6 0
2002 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 0 0 4
2003 Canada WJC18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 4 4 8 12
Junior totals 22 8 10 18 20

Awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Steve Bernier

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Steve Bernier (born March 31, 1985) is a Canadian former right winger who played 637 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2005 to 2018, accumulating 105 goals and 125 assists for 230 points. Drafted 16th overall in the first round by the in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Bernier stood at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 225 pounds, shooting right-handed during his career. After retiring from playing in 2020, he transitioned into player development roles, including with the of the Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) starting in August 2021. Bernier's junior career began in the QMJHL with the , where he was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2002 and earned Second Team honors in 2003 and 2004, also receiving Canadian Major Junior Second recognition in 2003. These accolades highlighted his early promise as a with strong scoring ability, leading to his high draft selection out of Moncton. His junior stats included leading the QMJHL in goals during his draft-eligible season, establishing him as one of the top prospects from . In the NHL, Bernier's career spanned six teams, beginning with the where he debuted in the 2005–06 season and played until 2008, recording 15 goals in his first full season. He was traded to the in February 2008, then to the in June of that year, where he contributed to playoff runs but struggled with consistency. Subsequent moves included a free-agent signing with the in 2010, signing with the organization during the 2011–12 season—where he achieved a career-high 16 goals in the 2014–15 season—and stints with the from 2015 to 2018. Over 74 playoff games, he added 23 points, including nine goals, though injuries and role changes limited his overall impact.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Steve Bernier was born on March 31, 1985, in , , . Growing up in a renowned for its passionate hockey culture, where the is deeply embedded in community life and youth development programs abound, Bernier began playing at a young age. As a youth, Bernier participated in the prestigious in both 1998 and 1999, representing a minor ice hockey team from . These early experiences on a major stage helped foster his skills amid competitive play against top young talents from across and beyond. In 2001, at age 16, Bernier achieved a significant milestone by winning the Air Canada Cup national midget championship with the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, where he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime during the final against the Royals. He was also named the tournament's for his outstanding performance, tallying 13 points in seven games. This success marked a pivotal moment in his development, leading to his transition to junior hockey with the in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Junior career

Bernier was selected first overall by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2001 QMJHL Midget Draft, marking the team's top pick that year and highlighting his status as a premier prospect from Quebec's midget ranks. Over four seasons with the Wildcats from 2001 to 2005, Bernier established himself as a prolific scorer and key offensive contributor in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In his rookie 2001–02 campaign, he recorded 59 points in 66 games, earning recognition on the QMJHL All-Rookie Team. His performance peaked in 2002–03, when he tallied 49 goals and 101 points in 71 games, leading the QMJHL in goals that season, helping drive the team's offense and securing a spot on the QMJHL Second All-Star Team that season. Bernier maintained strong production in subsequent years, posting 82 points in 2003–04 (again earning Second All-Star honors) and 71 points in 2004–05, while contributing significantly in playoffs, including 17 points in 20 playoff games en route to the QMJHL finals. His junior success culminated in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, where the selected him 16th overall, recognizing his goal-scoring prowess and overall impact in the QMJHL. Across 271 regular-season games with , Bernier amassed 151 goals, 162 assists, and 313 points, averaging over a point per game and solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top forwards.

Professional career

San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres

Bernier signed a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 28, 2005, worth $3.55 million with an annual average value of $1.183 million. He made his NHL debut on November 4, 2005, in a 3-2 loss to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Eight days later, on November 12, 2005, Bernier scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Marty Turco in a 4-3 overtime win over the Dallas Stars. During his rookie 2005–06 season, he appeared in 39 games for the Sharks, recording 14 goals and 13 assists while adapting to professional play after being selected 16th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In the following 2006–07 season, Bernier solidified his role on the ' roster, playing 62 games for the and contributing 15 goals and 16 assists, while also appearing in 10 games for their AHL affiliate, helping the team reach the second round of the playoffs where he added 0 goals and 1 assist in 11 games. His performance carried into the 2007–08 season, where he played 59 games for San Jose, tallying 13 goals and 10 assists before the trade deadline. Overall, across his three partial seasons with the from 2005 to 2008, Bernier appeared in 160 games, scoring 42 goals and adding 39 assists. On February 26, 2008, the traded Bernier and their 2008 first-round draft pick (which became Tyler Ennis) to the in exchange for defenseman and a seventh-round pick. In his Sabres debut the next night, Bernier scored twice on his first two shots and added an assist in an 8-4 win over the . However, his time in Buffalo was limited by a injury that caused him to miss several games in March, along with challenges adjusting to the new team; he finished the season with 17 games played, three goals, and six assists.

Vancouver Canucks

On July 4, 2008, the Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Bernier, who had been traded to Buffalo earlier that year from the San Jose Sharks, signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Vancouver four days later. The 23-year-old right winger brought size and physicality to the roster, measuring 6 feet 3 inches and 225 pounds, and was expected to provide depth scoring on the third or fourth lines. In his first season with the Canucks during 2008–09, Bernier established himself as a reliable contributor, appearing in 81 regular-season games and recording 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points while accumulating 27 penalty minutes. He extended his stay by signing another one-year deal worth $2 million ahead of the 2009–10 campaign, during which he played 59 games, adding 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points and 21 penalty minutes. Overall, across his two seasons in , Bernier skated in 140 regular-season games, totaling 26 goals and 28 assists. For his consistent performance and team-first approach in 2008–09—despite not being a top-line player—Bernier received the Fred J. Hume Award, honoring the Canucks' unsung hero. Bernier filled a key role as a depth forward and penalty killer for , particularly during the team's postseason runs. In the 2009 playoffs, he contributed 2 goals and 2 assists in 10 total playoff games during the first and second rounds. The following year, in the 2010 playoffs, he notched 4 goals and 1 assist in 12 games across series wins over the and a loss to the Blackhawks, often logging shifts on the penalty kill to neutralize opponents' power plays. His physical presence and willingness to engage in matchup situations supported 's balanced attack during these deep playoff pushes. On June 25, 2010, amid the NHL Entry Draft, Bernier was traded to the along with forward and 's first-round pick (No. 25 overall) in exchange for defenseman and prospect Victor Oreskovich.

Florida Panthers

Bernier was acquired by the in a trade from the on June 25, 2010, along with forward and Vancouver's first-round draft pick (used to select ), in exchange for defenseman and forward Victor Oreskovich. During the 2010–11 season, Bernier appeared in 68 games for the as a bottom-six forward, recording 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points while averaging 13:02 of ice time per game. His performance was hampered by an early-season injury when he suffered a fractured orbital bone after being struck by defenseman on November 12, 2010, causing him to miss eight games following surgery. Limited opportunities in Florida's deep forward group contributed to his modest output and minus-14 plus-minus rating. On February 24, 2011, the Panthers placed Bernier on waivers in an effort to potentially facilitate a trade or roster adjustment, but he cleared the following day and was immediately re-signed to remain with the team. He finished the season with the Panthers without further NHL assignments. Following the 2010–11 campaign, declined to offer Bernier a qualifying as a , allowing him to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1, 2011. His tenure with the Panthers ultimately had limited impact, marked by inconsistent production amid team depth and personal setbacks like the injury.

New Jersey Devils

Following the 2011–12 , Bernier signed a one-year, with the as a on January 30, 2012. Over the next four seasons from 2011–12 to 2014–15, he appeared in 224 games for the , recording 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points. Bernier played a key supporting role in the ' unexpected run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals, where they faced the . In Game 6 of the series, he received a five-minute major penalty for boarding Kings defenseman in the first period, resulting in a game misconduct and three power-play goals by that shifted momentum in their 6-1 victory to clinch the Cup. His steady performance earned Bernier a two-year extension worth $1.55 million on June 29, 2012, followed by a one-year deal at $600,000 in July 2014, solidifying his status as a reliable bottom-six forward. In his final seasons with the organization, Bernier transitioned to increased time in the with the , playing nine games in 2014–15 while splitting duties between the NHL and AHL.

New York Islanders

On September 17, 2015, Bernier signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the as an unrestricted following his time with the . In the 2015–16 season, he appeared in 24 NHL games for the Islanders, recording 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points, while primarily serving as a depth forward. He also contributed to the team's playoff run, playing 6 games in the without recording a point, as the Islanders advanced to the second round for the first time since 1993. Bernier re-signed with the Islanders on a one-year, on October 24, 2016, marking an increasing focus on (AHL) duty with their affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. During the 2016–17 season, he transitioned primarily to the AHL, playing 33 games for Bridgeport and scoring 16 goals and 10 assists for 26 points, establishing himself as a reliable scoring presence in the minors. In June 2017, Bernier agreed to a two-year, extension with the Islanders, valued at $1.3 million with a $650,000 annual cap hit, solidifying his as an organizational depth player. His final NHL appearances came in the –18 season, limited to 4 games where he failed to record a point, before fully shifting to the AHL for the remainder of his Islanders tenure through 2018–19. With Bridgeport, he embraced a as an alternate in –18, leading the team with 21 goals (second overall in team scoring) across 63 games, and followed with a career-high 24 goals and 42 points in 62 games during the 2018–19 season, highlighting his veteran influence and offensive contributions in the minors. On July 11, 2019, Bernier signed a one-year with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the 2019–20 season. He appeared in 20 games, recording 2 goals and 2 assists, before retiring from professional play in 2020. As his two-year expired at the end of the 2018–19 season, Bernier faced decisions regarding his future in professional hockey, ultimately leading to retirement considerations amid diminishing NHL opportunities.

International career

Youth international tournaments

Steve Bernier represented in under-18 international tournaments, showcasing his skills as a promising forward during his junior career. In August 2002, he was named to 's National Under-18 Team for the Eight Nations Tournament in , , also known as the , where the team captured the gold medal by defeating the in the final. The following year, Bernier competed at the 2003 IIHF World Under-18 Championships in and , , again helping secure gold with a 3-0 over in the championship game. As a key contributor, he recorded four goals and four assists in seven games, including crucial scoring in the medal round that underscored his role in the team's offensive attack. Bernier's performances in these youth tournaments highlighted his selection as a prominent right winger in Team Canada's setups, earning him recognition for his physical presence and scoring ability at the international level, though he did not advance to senior international competition.

Post-playing career

Player development roles

Following his final season in the with the during the 2019–20 campaign, Steve Bernier officially retired from professional hockey in August 2021 after over 15 years in the AHL and other . This transition marked the end of a playing career that spanned nearly 900 professional games, allowing him to pivot toward coaching and development roles in Quebec's junior hockey system. In August 2021, Bernier was appointed Director of Player Development for the of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), his former junior club where he had starred from 2001 to 2005. In this capacity, he collaborated closely with the coaching staff to enhance player skills, providing on-ice and off-ice guidance to prospects transitioning through the junior ranks. Drawing on his extensive professional experience, including NHL stints with multiple teams, Bernier emphasized individualized skill development, such as shooting techniques and positional play, to prepare young athletes for higher levels of competition. Concurrently, from June 2021, Bernier served as Skills Coach for the Côte-du-Sud Everest in the (QJHL), a role that complemented his work with the Wildcats by focusing on foundational skill-building for even younger players. Here, he conducted specialized drills and workshops to foster technical proficiency and hockey IQ among junior players, often integrating lessons from his own to instill resilience and . In the 2023–24 season, Bernier took on the role of Assistant Coach for Noroît Gouverneurs 2 in the International Peewee Hockey league (QC Int PW).

Career statistics

NHL regular season and playoffs

Over his 13-season NHL career from 2005 to 2018, Steve Bernier appeared in 637 regular-season games with the , , , , , and , during which he scored 105 goals and recorded 125 assists for a total of 230 points, along with 300 penalty minutes and a cumulative rating of -15. The following table summarizes his regular-season performance on a year-by-year basis:
SeasonTeam(s)GPGAPTS+/-PIM
2005–06SJS39141327+435
2006–07SJS62151631+529
2007–08SJS/BUF76161632–164
2008–0981151732+427
2009–1059111122021
2010–11FLA6851015–1421
2011–12NJD32156+616
2012–13NJD478715–717
2013–14NJD783912–1533
2014–15NJD67161632+228
2015–16NYI24156+39
2017–18NYI4000–20
Total637105125230–15300
Bernier participated in 74 playoff games across six postseason appearances, tallying 9 goals and 14 assists for 23 points, 44 penalty minutes, and a rating of +5; his most extensive playoff run came in with the , when he played all 24 games en route to the Stanley Cup Finals. The following table details his postseason performance:
SeasonTeamGPGAPTS+/-PIM
2005–06SJS11156+48
2006–07SJS11011+22
2008–09VAN10224–17
2009–10VAN12415–10
2011–12NJD24257+327
2015–16NYI6000–20
Total7491423+544

AHL and minor leagues

Steve Bernier began his professional career in the (AHL) with the Barons during the 2005–06 season, where he recorded 20 goals and 23 assists in 49 games shortly after being drafted by the . He later played for the in 2006–07, appearing in 10 games with 3 goals and 4 assists. Throughout his career, Bernier suited up for AHL affiliates of multiple NHL teams, including the () in 2011–12 and 2014–15, and primarily with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers () from 2016 to 2020. Over his AHL tenure spanning eight seasons, Bernier amassed 263 games played, 90 goals, 78 assists, and 168 points, establishing himself as a reliable depth forward. He did not play in other minor professional leagues such as the . His production peaked in Bridgeport, where he served as a presence, mentoring younger players and emphasizing consistency and hard work based on his extensive NHL experience. The following table highlights key AHL seasons for Bernier:
SeasonTeamGPGAPTSPIM
2005–06Cleveland Barons4920234333
2017–18Bridgeport Sound Tigers6321143536
2018–19Bridgeport Sound Tigers6224184287
These seasons exemplify his scoring prowess and physical play, with a career-high 24 goals in 2018–19. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Bernier appeared in 5 games for Bridgeport in 2019, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist. As a seasoned leader in the minors, particularly during his later years with Bridgeport, he provided guidance to prospects navigating the professional ranks.

Awards and honors

Junior awards

During his time in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the , Steve Bernier received several accolades recognizing his standout performances as a young forward. Prior to entering the QMJHL, Bernier earned early recognition in midget AAA hockey by being named the of the 2001 Air Canada Cup, Canada's national midget championship tournament, where he led the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy to the title with key contributions in the final rounds. In his rookie QMJHL season of 2001–02, Bernier was selected to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team after recording 31 goals and 59 points in 66 games, highlighting his immediate impact as the league's first overall draft pick from the prior year. The following season, 2002–03, he earned a spot on the QMJHL Second All-Star Team and the Canadian Major Junior Second All-Star Team, buoyed by a breakout campaign of 49 goals and 101 points in 71 games that placed him among the league's top scorers. Bernier repeated as a QMJHL Second All-Star Team member in 2003–04, compiling 36 goals and 82 points in 66 regular-season games en route to helping the Wildcats reach the QMJHL finals.

Professional achievements

During the 2008–09 season with the , Bernier received the Fred J. Hume Award, recognizing him as the team's unsung hero for his contributions on and off the ice, including his dedication to fans and . Bernier reached a significant career milestone by participating in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals with the , where he appeared in all six games against the , contributing to the team's Eastern Conference championship run before their defeat.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/steve-bernier-8470609
  2. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bernist01.html
  3. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/9080/steve-bernier
  4. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/the-best-of-la-belle-province
  5. https://www.tcdb.com/Person.cfm/pid/13905/Steve-Bernier
  6. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2001-nr-043-en
  7. https://chl.ca/lhjmq-wildcats/timeline-2001-02/
  8. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/the-first-firsts-bernier--gormley/n-5967153
  9. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=62298
  10. https://www.quanthockey.com/qmjhl/en/team-season-records/moncton-wildcats-players-qmjhl-season-records.html
  11. https://theahl.com/stats/player/111
  12. https://chl.ca/lhjmq-wildcats/article/wildcats-welcome-back-alumnus-steve-bernier/
  13. https://puckpedia.com/player/steve-bernier
  14. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bernist01/gamelog/2006
  15. https://thehockeynews.com/news/bernier-scores-2-in-sabres-debut-sparking-8-4-win-over-predators
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/sports/11iht-ice11.10927902.html
  17. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canucks-acquire-steve-bernier-from-sabres-1.754024
  18. https://puckpedia.com/signing/1416
  19. https://media.canucks.com/media-guides/all-time/canucks-awards
  20. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/florida-panthers-waive/
  21. https://www.nj.com/devils/2012/06/stanley_cup_finals_one_major_p.html
  22. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/player/_/id/1500/steve-bernier
  23. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/islanders-sign-f-bernier-to-one-year-deal-1.362065
  24. https://theahl.com/news/bernier-agrees-to-one-year-deal
  25. https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/steve-bernier-agrees-to-two-year-two-way-deal-with-islanders
  26. https://www.bridgeportislanders.com/news/detail/sound-tigers-sign-five-forwards-two-defensemen
  27. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2002-nr-059-en
  28. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2003-nr-026-en
  29. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u18/en/teams/team-canada-players-2003-wjc-u18-stats.html
  30. https://brooklyneagle.com/56330/isles-ink-veteran-bernier-to-two-year-pact/
  31. https://leplacoteux.com/leverest-confirme-la-composition-de-son-personnel-hockey/
  32. https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/steve-bernier/
  33. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/71852/steve-bernier
  34. https://insidehockey.com/bernier-embracing-his-role-with-farm-club/
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