Steve Bernier

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Position Right Wing
Shoots Right
Nickname Big Bear
Height
Weight		 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
NHL Team San Jose Sharks
Nationality Flag of Canada Canada
Born March 31, 1985,
Quebec City, QUE, CAN
NHL Draft 16th overall, 2003
San Jose Sharks
Pro Career 2005 – present

Steve Bernier (born March 31, 1985 in Quebec City, Quebec) is a professional NHL ice hockey forward who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. He was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

[edit] Junior Career

Bernier started his career with the Wildcats, leading his team in goals and being third in points in just his rookie year. Bernier also fourth amongst QMJHL rookies in overall scoring, and was named to the All-Rookie Team. His best season came in the year before his draft, the 2002-03 season, where he scored 49 goals and had 101 points, along with 90 penalty minutes. A very streaky player, Bernier had an 11-game, an 8-game. and a 7-game scoring streak. Statistically finishing tenth in QMJHL scoring, he was also named to the CHL Second All-Star team and won the "MVP" award from Moncton as well as other awards. In the 2003 U-18 championships, Bernier had four goals and four assists in seven games, finishing second on the team in scoring behind Marc-Antoine Pouliot. Although Bernier put up impressive numbers, many scouts were concerned with his physical conditioning and skating ability. That did not stop the Sharks, however, from trading the 21st, 66th and 107th selections to move up the 16th spot to nab him. Following the draft, Bernier put himself on a new fitness regime and lost ten pounds of body fat. Bernier went on to play 2 more seasons with Moncton.

In 2003-2004, in 66 games, Bernier had 36 tallies and 46 assists as well as 80 penalty minutes, good for second on his team. Seeing as how Bernier's numbers this season were worse than his totals his rookie year, Bernier was called a bust; many believed he had not gotten over his fitness problems. However, Bernier rounded out his game as ordered by San Jose, and became a strong two-way player. Importantly, Bernier became a more physical player and his team's leader. Showing his abilities in the clutch, Bernier had 7 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games, tying two other teammates for best on the team.

During the NHL lockout, Bernier was reportedly getting bored with Moncton and their stifling defensive system. Bernier hinted at playing in the new WHA, but he eventually returned to Moncton.

The following year in the QMJHL, Bernier's statistics dropped even lower, playing with a 2004-05 Wildcats team that was very defensively oriented. In 68 games, Bernier tallied a relatively low 71 points (35 + 36) and had 114 penalty minutes. While Bernier's numbers suffered, he gained a wealth of knowledge on how to play the defensive side of the game. The apparent decline in Bernier's play caused him to fall off top prospect's lists. His increased penalty minute totals were blamed on him being too slow and out of shape to catch the opposition legally. Yet, none of these accusations were true, as Bernier developed his game even further. Significantly, Bernier led his team in points, with the second-leading scorer (Stephane Goulet) being 24 points back. This showed that if given better linemates, Bernier could probably produce more.

Soon after the conclusion of the playoffs, the Sharks signed Bernier to his first pro contract.

[edit] Pro Career

Bernier started his first pro season, 2005-06, with the Cleveland Barons, the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate. After tallying 43 points in 49 games, the Sharks called Bernier up to the team. He scored 14 goals and added 13 assists in 39 games and potted 1 goal and 5 assists in 11 playoff games.

The 2006-07 NHL season was a season of up and downs for Bernier. Starting the season off on fire with a four-game point streak, Bernier had ten points in his first eleven games before going on a five-game pointless streak. Although Bernier resumed scoring immediately after that, with twelve points in his next eleven games, including a five-game point streak, general consensus was that Bernier's play was not up to its usual standard. In the twelve games before the holiday break, Bernier only had three points, and following an embarrassing 8-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, Bernier was sent down to Worcester (San Jose's new AHL affiliate) on New Year's Eve. However, Bernier broke his toe and missed a months worth of games. After rehabilitation, Bernier rejoined the Sharks in late February.

[edit] Career Statistics

                                     Regular Season              
Season  Team                        Lge   GP   G   A   Pts +/-  PIM  PP  SH  GW  Shots  Pct

2005-06 [[San Jose Sharks]]         NHL   39   14  13   27   4   35   2   1   1    75   18.7
2006-07 [[San Jose Sharks]]         NHL   60   15  16   31   5   27   6   0   4    98   15.3
                   
                   NHL Totals             88   29  29   56   9   62   8   1   5   173   16.8

                                        Playoffs              
Season  Team                        Lge   GP   G   A   Pts +/-  PIM  PP  SH  GW  Shots  Pct

2005-06 [[San Jose Sharks]]         NHL   11    1   5    6   4    8   1   0   1    14    7.1
2006-07 [[San Jose Sharks]]         NHL    -    -   -    -   -    -   -   -   -     -     -
                   
                   NHL Totals             11    1   5    6   4    8   1   0   1    14    7.1

[edit] Contract

Bernier is on a three year entry-level contract worth US$3.55 million, which will expire in June 2008. This deal includes $850,000 in yearly salary as well as a one million dollar signing bonus.

[edit] Awards

  • 2001-2002: QMJHL - All-Rookie Team
  • 2002-2003: CHL - Second All-Star Team (Canadian Major Junior)
  • 2002-2003: QMJHL - Second All-Star Team
  • 2003-2004: QMJHL - Second All-Star Team

[edit] External links

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