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Patrice Bergeron: Broken rib, torn cartilage, separated shoulder

Claude Julien, before Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals, said Patrice Bergeron had a body injury—and everyone had a good laugh.

Haha, it went. That's so vague. It makes it sound like his whole body is hurt, and that isn't possible.

Patrice Bergeron, right, played through several injuries. (AP Photo)

But the Boston Bruins coach was basically right: His star center, who went to the hospital after Game 5, had a broken rib, torn cartilage and separated shoulder, the last of which happened during Boston's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the final game of the 2013 NHL season.

MORE: Blackhawks' frenzied comeback | Cutest thing ever?

Bergeron didn't need to prove his toughness—he's already come back from potentially career-threatening concussion issues and become the league's best defensive center, regardless of the fact Jonathan Toews won the Selke. But that's staggering, hero stuff out of him.

"(The hospital trip) was mostly because they were worried about my spleen being hurt, so that's why we had to go to the hospital," Bergeron said. "But everything was fine so it was just the ribs, and the muscles, and the soft tissue."

Ah, yes. Just the ribs, the muscles and the soft tissue.

"Obviously guys have bumps and bruises, but he’s a guy that you obviously say is the heart and soul of our team," teammate Tyler Seguin said. "He wears that ‘B’ with a lot of pride."

UPDATE: The cherry on top ...

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa, meanwhile, played through a back injury that made his foot numb and forced him to miss Game 3. Skating is generally tough when you can't feel your feet. Hockey.

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