Michel Bergeron will be honoured by the Trois-Rivières Lions during a special-themed game celebrating his long career in Quebec hockey.
The tribute is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027, at 3 p.m. at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, according to an announcement from the team.
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Michel Bergeron tribute planned for February 2027
The event will recognize Bergeron’s work as a coach, analyst and longtime public figure in Quebec sports.
Known by the nickname “Le Tigre,” Bergeron began his coaching career with the Trois-Rivières Draveurs during the 1974-75 season and remained behind the bench through 1979-80.
His time with the Draveurs established him as one of the most prominent young coaches in Quebec hockey.
Under Bergeron, the club won two President’s Cups and finished first in the regular-season standings twice.
The 1978-79 campaign was especially successful, with Trois-Rivières recording 58 wins, eight losses and six ties in 72 regular-season games before winning the championship after losing only once in the playoffs.
From Trois-Rivières to the Quebec Nordiques
Bergeron later moved to the National Hockey League, where he coached the Quebec Nordiques for seven seasons.
He led the Nordiques in 554 games, compiling 253 wins, 222 losses and 79 ties.
The strongest playoff run of that era came in 1981-82, when Quebec eliminated the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins before losing to the New York Islanders.
Bergeron also coached the New York Rangers for two seasons before returning to Quebec for a final season with the Nordiques.
His career became closely associated with the intense rivalry between Quebec and Montreal, helping make him a familiar and polarizing figure among hockey fans across the province.
A second career in sports media
After his coaching years, Michel Bergeron remained visible through an extended career in television and radio.
He worked as a hockey analyst, including during Montreal Canadiens broadcasts, and covered the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
That media presence introduced Bergeron to audiences beyond the rink and helped preserve his status as one of Quebec’s best-known hockey personalities.
He also appeared in Quebec’s version of The Masked Singer in 2021, showing a lighter entertainment side to a career largely defined by hockey.
Bergeron announced his retirement in 2026
The Lions’ announcement comes after Bergeron retired from professional activities in the spring of 2026.
He turned 80 in June 2026 after more than five decades connected to coaching, broadcasting and public life in Quebec sports.
The retirement announcement marked a significant change for a figure who had remained active in hockey discussions long after leaving the bench.
The upcoming Trois-Rivières event will therefore serve both as a career tribute and as a public celebration of Bergeron’s connection to the city where his coaching career began.
What fans can expect
The Lions have described the February game as a special-themed event, although further details about ceremonies, guests and programming have not yet been announced.
The team’s 2026-27 regular season is scheduled to begin on October 16 at the Colisée Vidéotron.
For Quebec hockey followers, the February tribute offers an opportunity to revisit Bergeron’s influence on the Draveurs, Nordiques and the broader sports-media landscape.
It also links the current Trois-Rivières franchise with one of the most successful coaching chapters in the city’s hockey history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michel Bergeron?
Michel Bergeron is a former Quebec Nordiques and New York Rangers coach who later built a long career as a hockey analyst and media personality.
Why are the Trois-Rivières Lions honouring Michel Bergeron?
The Lions are recognizing Bergeron’s coaching career and his lasting contribution to hockey in Trois-Rivières and Quebec.
When will Michel Bergeron be honoured?
The tribute is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027, at 3 p.m.
Where will the Michel Bergeron tribute take place?
The event will be held at the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Has Michel Bergeron retired?
Yes. The Lions said Bergeron retired from professional activities in spring 2026 after more than five decades in hockey and sports media.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against the official Trois-Rivières Lions announcement, including the tribute date, venue, career timeline and coaching statistics.
Disclaimer: Event programming and ceremony details may change before the February 2027 tribute.