It’s been three years since the Montreal Canadiens parted ways with former general manager Marc Bergevin.
During that time, the 59-year-old, known for his blockbuster trades and unique style choices, has said little to nothing about his nearly decade-long tenure with hockey’s most storied franchise.
But Bergevin, who now works as senior advisor to the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, recently broke his silence in an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
In the newly published piece, the Montreal native revealed that he was already planning to leave the organization before he was offered a contract extension and ultimately fired by Habs owner Geoff Molson in November of 2021 — just a few months after Montreal’s epic run to the Stanley Cup Final.
“I decided that for me, it was best to move forward,” Bergevin said. “Time had come. It was good for both of us to move in a different direction. Geoff was very good, very fair. But I told him, ‘Geoff, I’m going to finish my last year that’s left and then I’m going to move on.’ He was good with that. He understood.”
Despite not necessarily leaving on his own accord, Bergevin insists that he looks back fondly on his time with the Canadiens.
“I have no regrets about my time in Montreal,” Bergevin told The Athletic. “It was a great nine and a half years, and I have nothing but positive memories. But there is certainly a spotlight there.”
According to Bergevin, one of the main factors in his decision was the personal toll Quebec’s strict COVID-19 restrictions took on him and his family.
“When Geoff made me the offer, I just felt there was no light at the end of the tunnel. The whole COVID thing for me beat me up, mentally, not seeing my kids,” he said.
As for his thoughts on the current Canadiens brass, who are in the third year of an ongoing rebuild, he wishes them the best.
“Geoff Molson was always supportive. I have nothing but respect for him,” Bergevin added. “And I wish the best of luck in Montreal. Because they have a great fan base, great ownership, and I know Kent [Hughes] and [Jeff Gorton], and they’re good people. I wish everybody there the best. I really mean that.”