His career with the Islanders was brief, and he spent much of that time with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Springfield Indians, whom he helped lead to consecutive Calder Cup championships in 1990 and 1991.

Bergevin went on to sign with the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning the next season, becoming a leader for the fledgling franchise and continuing to play skillfully enough to be named to the gold medal-winning Canadian national team for the 1994 World Championships.

After three years with the Lightning, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks, and was known for his practical jokes in the locker room.

He replaced Kevin Cheveldayoff, who had left the Blackhawks organization to accept the general manager position with the new Winnipeg Jets team.

Bergevin also appointed former Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois as player development coach on June 13, 2012.