MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that Quebec-native Patrice Bernier was selected by members of the media and team supporters as the 2012 Communitarian Award winner, presented to the player most involved with the community.
After returning home following a 10-year career in Europe, Patrice Bernier became an integral part of the Montreal Impact in 2012 both on and off the pitch.
Involved in the community
The 32-year-old midfielder became the spokesperson for the Fondation de l’Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal (OMHM), dedicated to helping kids living in HLMs persevere in their studies and to actively invest themselves in Montreal and Quebec society.
He also took part in many school visits with the Impact during the season as part of the program All the Way with the Impact to encourage school success.
Born in Brossard, Bernier put on some gloves and picked up a shovel and some spray paint to help sod and revitalize Parc Theodore in the borough of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
He took some time to visit with sick children at the CHU Saint Justine hospital, and was the guest of honour at the Red Carpet Gala of the Quebec Soccer Federation.
On top of this, there were numerous demands for interviews, public appearances and team functions that he agree to take part in, and had a special relationship with the supporters through social media all season long.
The 32-year-old finished the season as the team leader in goals with nine, including six from the penalty spot, and was second on the team with eight assists. In his first season in MLS, Bernier made 26 appearances, including 24 starts, and surpassed 2,104 minutes of play.
Bernier was selected just ahead of another Impact player who immersed himself in the community and who developed a special relationship with supporters through social media, Jeb Brovsky.
