Longtime Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement as a professional hockey player on Tuesday and thanked those who helped him live his dream.
After 19 years in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Patrice Bergeron has called it a career.
The Bruins' captain released a statement on Tuesday morning to thank the fans and show his gratitude to many of those who helped him along the way.
"It wasn't a decision that I came to lightly," Bergeron said in his statement. "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."
Bergeron, who turned 38 years old on Monday, knew being a professional hockey player was his dream ever since a young age.
"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."
The Boston Bruins drafted Bergeron 45th overall in the 2003 NHL draft from the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He jumped straight to the big leagues, putting up 39 points in 71 games during his rookie season. During the 2004-05 lockout, he stood out in the AHL with the Providence Bruins with 61 points. But his breakout year came in '05-06, where he recorded 31 goals and 73 points in the NHL while getting another 14 points for Team Canada at the World Championship.
Throughout his 1,294 regular-season NHL games, Bergeron tallied 427 goals and 613 assists for 1,040 points. And in 170 career playoff games, he's had 128 points in 170 games.
Bergeron established himself as one of the league's top two-way forwards throughout most of his career. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy six times and finished top-five in the voting for 14 straight seasons.
Bergeron's character has also been recognized at one of the league's highest levels, being awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2013, the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2014 and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2021. Despite not winning the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to the player to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship while playing at a high standard, he's received votes in 17 seasons. His leadership was on display with the Bruins as the captain for the last three seasons and an alternate captain for 14 years before that.
But the biggest award of all in the NHL came with his teammates in 2011 when the Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks in the final round of the playoffs to capture the Stanley Cup.
"Over the last 20 years, I have had the honor of taking the ice with so many great teammates," Bergeron said. "I have tried to learn something from each and every one of you, and I always tried to be the best teammate that I could be.
"I will forever be grateful being a part of such an exceptional group of men, and I will carry the pride of winning in 2011 with me forever."
The L'Ancienne-Lorette, Que., native also had a memorable international hockey career for Team Canada. In 2004, Bergeron won gold with Canada at the World Championship. And Bergeron participated in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, winning gold with Canada both times. He is only one of 30 players in the Triple Gold Club as someone who won gold at the Worlds and Olympics while capturing a Stanley Cup.
Bergeron was the most valuable player at the 2004-05 World Junior Championship, winning gold then as well. If that wasn't enough, he won gold again with Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
"Representing my country at the highest level - especially winning Gold in Vancouver and Sochi are also some of my proudest moments," Bergeron said. "I would like to thank everyone who helped make those experiences possible."
As Bergeron moves to his next chapter, he thanked those closest to him who helped him along the way, including his brother, wife, kids, extended family, and his parents.
"To my mom, Sylvie and my dad, Gerard. It all started with you both, and your unwavering love. I couldn't have asked for better parents. What I have achieved, and who I have become, is because of you," Bergeron said.
Bergeron said he has no regrets as he retires as a professional hockey player, and while he hasn't yet announced his next steps, he's certainly deserved the chance to step back after accomplishing his dream for two decades.