Former Bruin capatain Patrice Bergeron grins at Berlin's Dillon Boucher, left, during the Skills Competiton sponsored by the NH Lottery Thursday at Conway Arena. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Manchester Memorial Frank Tessier got out of baseball practice on Thursday, as he had someplace he had to be.

You see, he had to play hockey at Conway Arena with retired Boston Bruins great Patrice Bergeron.

Now that’s not a bad excuse.

Tessier was one of five New Hampshire high school hockey players drawn by lottery to compete in a skills/shootout competition with Bergeron. The others were Dillon Boucher of Berlin, Ethan Peluso of Windham, plus goalies Lucas Arlen of John Stark and Cam Roberge of Memorial. The event at the Arena was put on by the New Hampshire Lottery, and the competion winner was to receive $1,000 from the Lottery to his school. But in a great gesture, NH Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre had checks for that amount for each player’s school.

“It as a really cool experience,” Tessier, who tied Bergeron 3-3 in the shooting competition. said. “I’ll remember it forever.”

Bergeron will smile thinking about it, too.

“That was a lot of fun,” he said. “I really enjoyed getting on the ice with them, they’re great kids. … It was pretty impressive for them to be selected….Like I said, great kids, very talented, it was fun to be out there.”

And it brought back memories for Bergeon of his high school days growing up in his hometown of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec.

“Oh yeah, for sure,” he said. “Even now while I’m helping out coaching with my kids, it does bring back and reliving the experiences I’ve lived, I guess, and experienced growing up.

“My high school memories are of kids I’ve become such good friends with that are friends to this day, you know what I mean? I think that’s the biggest and most important part the friends I’ve been able to gather over the years with hockey, with sports. The great memories of just getting on the ice, and having no worries, really. So it’s been pretty special.”

He had some good advice for anyone playing high school hockey.

“First and foremost, it’s to have fun and enjoy the game,” Bergeron said. “That’s the only way you can improve. At that point, it’s also to try to work on your weaknesses. It’s always easy to work on things you’re good at.

“And being a good student athlete is really important, make sure you’re putting the work in in school. That will always be something I’ll tell my kids, and anyone who’s willing to listen.”

The players all said they idolized Bergeron. Who were his idols growing up? It was Joe Sakic, who played for the Quebec Nordics and when they moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche, and Peter Forsberg, who did the same.

But we don’t know if he got the chance to skate with them like the kids yesterday did.

“Obviously, it was pretty awesome,” Windham’s Peluso said. “He was my hero growing up, just to skate with him out there on the ice, it was amazing. I looked up to him, tried to watch him my whole life, learn things. Just being out there, seeing him in real life, it was pretty awesome.”

Former Bruin Patrice Bergeron tries to score on Manchester goalie Cam Roberge during the Skills competition held at Conway Arena on Thursday. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Former Bruin Patrice Bergeron tries to score on Manchester goalie Cam Roberge during the Skills competition held at Conway Arena on Thursday. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The drive for Berlin’s Boucher was a long one, well over three hours. But it probably went by quick.

“I was so excited, I couldn’t really explain my feelings,” he said. “Like (Peluso) said, I grew up watching Bergeron, he’s one of the main reasons why I play the sport. He’s a good mentor and idol for me.”

Former Boston and Nashua sports radio personality Mike Mutnasky served as master of ceremones, and shortly after the event he was at the new Nash Casino with Bergeron for a Q&A hosted by Draft Kings and the Lottery with plenty of fans. But the Conway Arena event event was closed to the public, but there were plenty of friends and family of the players on hand to see it. And afterward, each player with family members got his picture taken with the Bruins legend in the Nashua South-Pelham locker room.

A day to them to remember, for sure.

“I’ll remember it,” Peluso said, “my whole life.”