Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron retires after 19 standard-setting NHL seasons


Patrice Bergeron has officially hung up the skates after 19 years in the NHL. 

The Boston Bruins captain announced his retirement in a written statement on Tuesday, thanking friends, family, teammates and coaches for supporting him through a Hall of Fame career. 

“For the last 20 years I have been able to live my dream every day. I have had the honor of playing in front of the best fans in the world wearing the Bruins uniform and representing my country at the highest levels of international play,” Bergeron said. 

“I have given the game everything that I have physically and emotionally, and the game has given me back more than I could have ever imagined.”

Bergeron, who was selected in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the Bruins, turned into not only the team’s No. 1 center, but the leading example of what it meant to wear the spoked-B on their chest. 

At 38 years old, Bergeron is leaving quite the legacy behind on Causeway St. 

Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron raises his stick to the fans after losing to the Florida Panthers.
AP

Through 1,294 career regular season games, the two-way forward logged 427 goals and 1,040 points, adding 128 points to his resume in 170 career playoff appearances.

Bergeron hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and has won the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward a record-setting six times, including the last two seasons. 

The three-time All-Star was an assistant captain starting in the 2006-07 season and earned the ‘C’ when Zdeno Chara left Boston in 2021 through free agency. 

Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) takes a shot against Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15).
Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) takes a shot against Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15).
AP

Bergeron’s retirement, while somewhat expected, has an extra sting due to how the Bruin’s 2022-23 playoffs ended. 

After plowing through the regular season with a NHL record 65 wins and 135 points, Boston fell to the Florida Panthers in the first round in a major upset. 

Bergeron was sidelined for the first four games of the series with a herniated disk, and returned to the lineup for Games 5-7, all of which the Bruins dropped. 

Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers.
Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers.
Getty Images

“As hard as it is to write, I also write it knowing how blessed and lucky I feel to have had the career that I have had, and that I have the opportunity to leave the game I love on my terms,” Bergeron said.

“It wasn’t a decision that I came to lightly. But after listening to my body, and talking with my family, I know in my heart that this is the right time to step away from playing the game I love.”

Gratitude has been pouring out on social media from both Bergeron’s teammates and opponents as the class act takes his final bow. 

ake DeBrusk #74 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrate a goal.
Jake DeBrusk #74 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrate a goal.
NHLI via Getty Images

“I can say from the bottom of my heart, I would not be the player or person I am today if I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet [Bergeron] and play with [Bergeron],” Bruins winger Brad Marchand said

“What started as just teammates and linemates turned into an incredible friendship and lifelong bond.” 

Bergeron set a standard of excellence in Boston that the team is now tasked to uphold as they enter this new era. 

Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the third period.
Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the third period.
Getty Images

“As I step away today, I have no regrets. I have only gratitude that I lived my dream, and excitement for what is next for my family and I,” Bergeron said. 

“I left everything out there and I’m humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans.”

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