Picture Credit: Twitter
Patrice Bergeron, one of the greatest players in Boston Bruins history and one of the most respected leaders in the NHL, has decided to hang up his skates after 19 seasons. The 37-year-old center announced his retirement on Tuesday in a heartfelt statement on NHL.com.
Bergeron, who spent his entire career with the Bruins, drafted him 45th overall in 2003.The forward made an immediate impact as a rookie, scoring 39 points in 71 games and earning a spot in the NHL YoungStars Game. He quickly established himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the league, winning a franchise-record six Frank J. Selke Trophies as the best defensive forward and being nominated for the award a record 12 times.
“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,” the Bruins captain said in a statement.
“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. I left everything out there and I’m humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans,” he further added in his statement.
Bruins retires as the club’s third highest scorer
In total, Bergeron finished his career with 427 goals and 613 assists for 1,040 points in 1,294 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he scored 50 goals with 78 assists for 128 points in 170 games ranking third in Bruins history in games played, fourth in goals and assists, and fifth in points. Bergeron’s marquee achievement came in 2011, when he and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, ending a 39-year drought in Boston. Bergeron scored six goals and added 14 helpers in 23 playoff games that year.
In addition to his success with the Bruins, Bergeron also represented Canada on the international stage, winning gold medals at the World Championships (2004), World Junior Championships (2005), Winter Olympics (2010 and 2014), and World Cup of Hockey (2016).
