"I'm very happy, obviously," Bernier said. "Toronto has always been a great market; especially with the good young team they have now. It feels kind of like L.A. when I first got there in that we all grew up together. Hopefully I can fit in right away."
Bernier put up solid numbers for the Kings this season, including a 9-3-1 record with a sparkling 1.88 goals-against average and .922 save percentage with one shutout. However, he was not able to unseat Jonathan Quick for the starter's job and it was clear if he was ever to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL, it was going to have to be with another organization.
It has been reported the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers were also making bids to get Bernier, but Kings' GM Dean Lombardi liked the package being offered by Toronto.
"Dean promised me that he was going to trade me when we spoke at the beginning of the season," Bernier said. "He said if it was not at the trade deadline he would do it after the season. He kept his word and obviously I was very happy he did."
Reimer, 25, will be entering his fourth season with the Maple Leafs next year. Coming off a season in which he was 19-8-5 with a 2.46 GAA and .924 save percentage, the Morweena, Man., native remains a work in progress, often struggling with his rebound control and catching pucks with his trapper. Bernier, who was named MVP in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs in 2006-07 and the American Hockey League's best goalie in 2009-10, believes a new start in Toronto is just what the doctor ordered.
"I went through some ups and downs in L.A., but they treated me very well and I'm thankful for that," Bernier said. "This is a new challenge and I'm going to show people what I can do. At the same time I'll be with a great goalie in Reimer, so it's not going to be easy. I just have to do what I know I can do and hopefully have success."
