When Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron retired in the summer of 2023, it came as a surprise to a lot of people. Why? Well, for starters, the Bruins were coming off a historic regular season that saw them set the NHL record for wins and points in an 82-game season. It might be tough to top now in an 84-game season.
However, is you sit back and look at his career overall as a whole, it was surprising. When he retired, it was only a matter of time before he would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Lo and behold, everyone knew that he was a first-ballot candidate. That became official when he was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron officially is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame
This year's Hall of Fame class includes Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Patrice Bergeron, Keith Tkachuk, and Cindy Curley in the Player category, and Brian Burke in the Builder category. That is certainly a group of names for Bergeron to go in with and even more, he does with former Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who had many battles with Bergeron and the Black and Gold.
"It definitely means a lot,'' said Bergeron, per Belle Fraser of BostonBruins.com. "You look back at all the memories and the people that helped you along the way, that sacrificed so much for you to be in this position –– so this is definitely special and we will try to soak it all in."
Bergeron joins fellow teammate and Stanley Cup champion Zdeno Chara as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he will also join him in the rafters at the TD Garden early next month when his jersey, his famous No. 37, is retired, in a game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Just some of the names that landed in Toronto to be there for Bergeron's special occasion were current Bruins players Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, head coach Marco Sturm, former Boston defenseman Ray Bourque, general manager Don Sweeney, and team president Cam Neely. Former teammates include David Krejci and current injured Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand. There are likely many, many more.
Bergeron was one of the most respected players on and off the ice. When he spoke in the locker room, you listened. His Selke Trophies spoke for themselves. He never really cared about them on the outside. It was all about the team and will always be about the team. However, he will go down as one of the most respected and loved members of the Black and Gold. Fans will have an opportunity to show him that appreciation on Dec. 2 against the Avalanche when his number takes its rightful place in the rafters.
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