Patrice Bergeron retires from NHL after 19 years with Boston Bruins
After 19 years in the NHL, spending all of them with the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron has announced his retirement from the NHL, according to multiple reports. NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss first reported the story.
Bergeron said in a statement, among other things:
"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. 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.It is with a full heart and a lot of gratitude that today I am announcing my retirement as a professional hockey player.."
The 38-year-old was able to win the Stanley Cup in 2011 with Boston in a seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks – a series where he was able to collect the clinching goal where he fell to the ground on a shorthanded attack but was somehow able to tuck it past then-Canucks’ goaltender Roberto Luongo.
Patrice Bergeron leaves behind many great memories and accomplishments
Bergeron also won a Gold Medal representing his home country of Canada in both 2010 and 2014, in Vancouver and Sochi, respectively. He came close to winning a second Stanley Cup in both 2013 and 2019, but the Bruins fell just short of a championship as they fell just short in both chances.
Throughout his career, Bergeron was a consistent contender for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, an award he took home with him for an NHL record six times in his career, and was nominated for 12 times in a row (also an NHL record).
Other accolades Bergeron holds the record for the most overtime goals in Boston history, was a three-time NHL All-Star and was the 2021 winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award. He also won numerous awards within the Bruins organization as well and is a part of the distinguished 1,000-point club.
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With his departure, he leaves open the captaincy spot for the Bruins with plenty of options to choose from. Bergeron also leaves vacant, a spot on the top line for a new center to take his place, one that can be taken from within or one that can be looked at as an external venture.