Helping lead Moncton to the 2004 QMJHL Finals, he scored seven goals and ten assists in 20 playoff games.

[4] Bernier split his first professional season, 2005–06, between the Sharks and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Barons.

[citation needed] Midway through his sophomore season, Bernier was sent back to the AHL after the Sharks suffered an 8–0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.

After rehabilitation and ten games with Worcester (San Jose's new AHL affiliate), Bernier rejoined the Sharks in late February.

The next day, in his Sabres debut, Bernier scored two goals on his first two shots and later added an assist, helping Buffalo to an 8–4 win over the Nashville Predators.

[7] Four days later, he was extended a one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet by the St. Louis Blues, which the Canucks quickly matched.

[12] Following the Canucks' second round elimination to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bernier was re-signed to a two-year, $4 million contract on May 14, 2009.

Remaining with Florida, he missed the final two games of the season with a shoulder injury,[15] finishing with 15 points (five goals and ten assists) over 68 contests in 2010–11.

Set to become a restricted free agent in the off-season, Florida chose not to tender Bernier a qualifying offer, giving him unrestricted status on July 1, 2011.

[15] Within a month, he accepted an AHL contract with New Jersey's minor league affiliate, the Albany Devils.

[21] Bernier would take on a player development role for the Moncton Wildcats in August 2021, effectively ending his playing career.