Advertisement

Bernier plays up Toronto positives; OK with backup job in Anaheim

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 4: Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Toronto Maple Leafs prepares for a shot against the Florida Panthers during game action on April 4, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

New Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonathan Bernier said he had mostly positive memories from his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There was no disparaging the organization that had just dealt him to Anaheim or bemoaning the fishbowl nature of the Toronto market. Bernier was praiseworthy and never deviated from that message, even though his time with Toronto never seemed to gain traction.

“There’s really nothing bad. I really, really enjoyed my time in Toronto,” the 27-year-old Bernier said in a conference call with reporters after the Ducks acquired him from the Leafs on Friday for a conditional draft pick. “Probably one of the greatest organizations and greatest fans.”

Three years ago the Maple Leafs acquired Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings in hopes he would be the team’s goaltender of the future.

A 2006 first-round draft pick, Bernier came to the Leafs fresh off a season where he had a 1.88 goal-against average and .922 save percentage to go with a 9-3-1 record backing up Jonathan Quick. He was seen as potential starter material in the right situation and a hot commodity.

It never worked out in Toronto for Bernier. He started 140 games and held a 59-68-17 record. Overall he had a 2.80 goal-against average and .915 save percentage. The Leafs never made the playoffs with Bernier as the team’s starting goaltender.

There were also a instances where the hockey crazed Toronto market seemed to pounce on some off-ice gaffes by Bernier.

Last season he finished with a 2.88 goal-against average and .908 save percentage in 38 games played. At one point the Leafs sent him to the minors in order to work on his game.

His best season was his first year when he had a 2.68 goal-against average and .923 save percentage, but never regained that form.

“Playing in Toronto I had a really good experience and had a lot of fun, but when you go through a rebuild it’s never easy,” Bernier said. “Going to a team that is mature and they’re always a Stanley Cup contender, obviously you’re feeling a lot better coming into camp and knowing you have a great team in front.”

Bernier did say he was surprised at the trade even though earlier in the offseason the Maple Leafs acquired Frederik Andersen from the Ducks, which basically spelled the end of Bernier’s time in Toronto.

“I had no idea there was a trade coming up or that I was going to get moved,” he said. “(Maple Leafs general manager) Lou (Lamoriello) called me this morning and gave me the news.

Bernier – who has one season left on a two-year, $8.3 million contract – is slotted as the team’s backup to John Gibson and noted he’s fine with this role in hopes that he can make an impression in limited opportunities.

“I’m just looking to focus on myself. At the end of the day if you play well and win games, things usually work out and I just want to make sure I’m giving my 100 percent at practice and in games and give a chance for my team to win,” Bernier said. “That’s the only thing I’m going to focus on. You can’t really start thinking how many games you’re going to play or if Gibson will play more games than me or not. That’s just already having a bad mindset. I’ve been working hard this summer and I’m ready to go for the upcoming season.”

Bernier is familiar with California-based teams from his time in Los Angeles, which could help his transition. The Ducks are also similar to the Kings where Bernier had some of his greatest success as a player, which could lend to a positive outcome next season for the goaltender.

“Playing for the Kings for a long time we played the Ducks a lot and they always had a great team,” Bernier said. “They’re a big, strong and skilled team. Defensively they’re very solid and they have a good system and I played for (coach) Randy (Carlyle) my first year in Toronto. Knowing him, he’s very detailed in playing well defensively. I think it’s going to be a great fit.”

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY


– – – – – – –

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!