Jonathan Bernier believes the Toronto Maple Leafs are trending the right way.
While the goaltender won’t be around to see the team’s progress first-hand after being traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, he had only positive things to say during a radio interview with Joey Vendetta on Sportsnet 590 The FAN Monday afternoon.
LISTEN: Jonathan Bernier talks about his time in Toronto
“I was a bit shocked on Friday morning when I heard the news,” Bernier told Vendetta. “But I’m very excited to start a new chapter in my career.”
While Bernier said he is looking forward to joining a Stanley Cup contender in a familiar division — he began his career with the Ducks’ biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Kings — he admitted to being a bit disappointed about leaving Toronto at such an integral time in the franchise’s rebuild.
“I really wish that I would’ve been there for the next little while. I really think that they’re heading in the right direction with those young guys that they drafted, especially [Auston] Matthews now,” he said. “They’re really going to be a good team in the next few years.”
Bernier isn’t letting the 2015-16 campaign — which he called the “lowest” of his career — tarnish his view of his time in Toronto.
“In your career there’s always going to be ups and downs,” Bernier said. “I really enjoyed my time in Toronto. There’s nothing bad to say. The fans are unbelievable. You play in a hockey market like Toronto, it’s the best.”
Bernier posted a 12-21-3 record in 36 starts last season, and also spent some time in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. He said he learned some valuable lessons that he’ll take with him to Anaheim.
“What I take away from that year was, you know, I didn’t give up, I never stopped being a pro, I went to the rink, I did my job and never complained,” he said. “I definitely grew a lot as a person and as a player going through something like that in a market like Toronto.”
