Former NHL defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron is trying to make a comeback.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have inked the 35-year-old blueliner to a professional tryout contract, TSN’s James Mirtle reported on Tuesday.
Marc-Andre Bergeron is attempting a return to the NHL. He’ll attend the Blue Jackets camp on a PTO.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) September 6, 2016
Standing at 5-feet-9-inches and 190-pounds, Bergeron was able to form a very successful NHL career despite his slight size. He went undrafted after putting up monster numbers with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL before eventually being inked to an entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers in 2001.
Since turning pro, the offensive defenseman has skated in 490 NHL games, netting 82 goals and 235 total points.
His most recent NHL action came with the Carolina Hurricanes after he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2013 NHL trade deadline. He has played for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Lightning and Hurricanes over 12 seasons in North America.
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Following the 2013 lockout-shortened season, Bergeron played three seasons with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland’s NLA. He played alongside 2016 first overall draft pick Auston Matthews in 2015-16.
Marc-Andre Bergeron’s journey back to the NHL is far from complete. He’ll have to earn himself a spot on Columbus’ roster in training camp and preseason.
He will have to beat out some of the likes of Zach Werenski, Cody Goloubef and Dalton Prout in order to join a strong defensive core comprised of Jack Johnson, Seth Jones, Ryan Murray and David Savard.