Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, one of the greatest players in franchise history and arguably the greatest defensive forward of all time, announced his retirement today.
Bergeron provided a statement regarding this decision in both French and English, which can be read in full here. An excerpt from the statement reads:
Finally, to the next generation of hockey players. I had a dream at 12 years old, and through hard work and perseverance my dreams came true more than I ever could have imagined. Respect the game and your peers. Welcome adversity and simply enjoy yourself. No matter where you go from there the game will bring you so much happiness.
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.
Bergeron turned 38 yesterday, and has been a regular in the NHL since his rookie season in 2003-04.
It was evident early on that Bergeron was something of a special player. Not many players drafted 45th overall take an immediate step into the NHL at the age of 18, and even fewer have as productive of a rookie season as Bergeron had.
He stepped straight into the Bruins’ lineup from the QMJHL and scored 16 goals and 39 points, averaging over 16 minutes per night.
By the age of 20, Bergeron had become a true top-six center in the NHL, scoring 31 goals and 73 points in his second full season. At the age of 24, Bergeron first appeared on a Selke Trophy ballot, and soon he would set the gold standard for defensive play by a center in the NHL. Bergeron’s victory in the Selke Trophy voting has been a formality for much of his career, and he finishes his playing days having won the prestigious award a record six times.
Beyond just setting the standard for two-way excellence, Bergeron has long been viewed as one of the game’s exceptional leaders. Bergeron won both the Mark Messier Leadership Award (2020-21) and King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2012-13) and was a yearly fixture on the Lady Byng Trophy ballot.
He also set the standard for work at the face-off dot, leading the NHL in face-off win percentage four times and posting a career 58.9% win rate.
Bergeron had long served as an alternate captain for the Bruins before taking up the captain’s role after the departure of Zdeno Chara. Under his watch, the Bruins had their most successful era of hockey since Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito tore the league apart in the early 1970s. The Bruins won three Prince of Wales trophies during Bergeron’s tenure, three Presidents’ Trophies, and the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1972.
In 2011 Bergeron truly shined, scoring 20 points in 23 playoff games, including the Stanley Cup-winning goal. While the Bruins undoubtedly would have loved to go on one last deep playoff run during Bergeron’s final season, a year where they set records for regular-season success, the organization is undoubtedly more than happy with the more than a decade of legitimate Stanley Cup contention Bergeron led them through.
Beyond just his work for the Bruins, Bergeron found success representing Canada internationally. At times forming a lethal two-way line alongside Bruins teammate Brad Marchand and superstar Sidney Crosby, Bergeron took home the gold medal at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics as well as the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.
A slam-dunk first-ballot Hall of Famer, Bergeron re-defined what it meant to be a two-way center in the NHL over the course of his career. Whenever NHL draft prospects playing center are asked who they’d like to emulate in the NHL, Bergeron is frequently the most commonly referenced name. That’s despite the existence of centers that have long surpassed Bergeron in offensive production, such as Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
That likely reflects something that made Bergeron truly valuable: so much of what made him special was something another player could feasibly replicate through an immense amount of hard work.
If a player doesn’t possess the natural talent of a McDavid or a MacKinnon, expecting them to reflect those players in the NHL is impossible. But Bergeron, on the other hand, is a player whose many great qualities can be mimicked.
Not only did Bergeron provide Boston with exceptional individual on-ice value, he also provided the organization with an invaluable role model for other players to follow. His relatively affordable contracts created a team-friendly financial structure under the salary cap for the Bruins to be able to field a contending team year after year. Countless Bruins players, such as Pavel Zacha, for example, have seen their game improve after practice after practice under Bergeron’s wing.
Teams across the NHL dream of establishing a clear team culture that emphasizes excellence and selflessness both on and off the ice, as well as the importance of shared sacrifice in the pursuit of winning. Bergeron embodied that culture for the Bruins throughout his career, and for nearly two decades the Bruins and the city of Boston were better for it.
Even after his retirement, Bergeron is likely to be viewed as the pinnacle of two-way excellence for centers in the NHL and will continue to be a name oft-cited by draft prospects looking to establish credibility as a two-way player.
Although he leaves Boston in a relatively unclear spot down the middle (the team’s two top-six centers projected for next season are Zacha and Charlie Coyle, neither of whom have ever scored 60 points in the NHL) the franchise can ask nothing more of Bergeron, who played on a below-market $2.5MM contract last season.
Bergeron will now get to enjoy his retirement and leave a Bruins organization that will be eternally grateful for the nearly two decades of leadership, class, and on-ice excellence he provided.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
I will certainly miss him
Is there some back story to this? Family issues or concerns, etc?
Great player still at (or near) the top of his game.
Why now?
Spend the 5 minutes reading his speech. Should be enough back story.
Or I can ask a 10 second question, wait for a 10 second answer and add 4 minutes and 40 seconds back to my day.
He wanted to step away on his own terms. His wife had put her career on pause to support his dream, and wants to be around more. He’s a clear fit for a future management role, as he is beloved everywhere.
Hope that helps. Have a good day
Extra nugget. His greatest influence and role model was his older brother Guillaume.
@SpaceCowboy
Some people are too lazy to do their own research. Don’t indulge them.
I could have completely lied and told him it was a brain parasite. Up to them to source the information :)
I will always indulge those who want to learn. Lazy or not, but I do appreciate the support <3
Seems a bit odd that someone who doesn’t believe in getting hockey info second hand is on this site.
All stupid questions, He’s 38 years old and has a bad back, He should have moved on awhile back.
#rentfree
@66
you asked why bergie would step away now “at the top of his game” well the answer is simple but probably multi faceted.
first is age, yes he is playing at a high level but at this point in his career what is left for him to keep suiting up and working in the offseason to keep playing. especially when everything hurts all the time and recovery from minor injuries take longer. second is his desire to keep going through the gauntlet of prep and season of a nhl’er, the man has been playing hockey for 26+ years maybe his love of playing isn’t there anymore or he is just burnt out or it could be pride and he doesn’t see himself as that top tier player that he used to be and has the go out now while i’m on top mentally. my last point ties into my other ones, is the man accomplished everything he wanted can go out on top and spend time with his family that he lost playing a game he loved well into adulthood
i’m going to end this long winded post by saying, enjoy retirement bergie you earned it and wish the best in any future endeavors
Bruins downfall continues.
Damn now that has to close the Bruins window I say to myself for like the fifth time in the past two years
Next stop Hall of Fame
Happy trails you’ve part of the Boston community since u where 18 and we all thought ur career was going to end sooner because of some bad luck and scum players
Steve Yzerman, Rod Brind’Amour, and Patrice Bergeron my 3 all time favorite players and absolute Leaders of their generation.
Mario, Messier, and Sakic have entered the chat.
That 1st Round Pick is looking even better now Go Wings !
Wonder how long the Bruins knew about this, because it really makes their off-season moves even more questionable. I’ll miss Bergy but I’m glad he’s walking away on his own terms, especially after solidifying his legacy as the greatest two way forward to ever lace them up. Rename the Selke to the Bergy!
Yup. It’s July 25 and they need a 1C and a 2C. That’s less than ideal.
@mattc
I know a #1C that’s available, but not sure they want him. Think Las Vegas, Cup celebration, sniff, sniff. Not sure they could fit him under the cap, either
Wish him all the best, had a great career amd accomplished every goal a player could have. I considered him the top 2 way center in the game for a long time and watched year after year while he destroyed my leafs. Father time remains undefeated
Even Leafs fans have to acknowledge what an absolute legend and class act Bergeron is. Farewell to one of the greatest 2-way forwards to ever play the sport of hockey.
My favorite player of all time. Glad I got to watch him night in and night out for so long. A great player and an even better person. Enjoy retirement 37 it is well deserved
Patrice F. Bergeron – Faceoff machine, 200-foot player, and all around Good Guy. Thanks, #37, for the memories and highlight reel plays. Enjoy retirement and more family time!
Watching the perfection line execute was one of the best things I’ve seen in hockey. PB will be missed at the rinks!
January 2024…. Don & Cam this is Patrice…… I am bored, and I feel great, think I want to come back, Marchy & Looch been driving me nuts calling and texting daily.
Nico for Selke 2024.
Always hate it when great players hang them up. But hanging them up while at the top of your game with a lot of class is the best way to do it. I’ll miss watching him and all the best to him. Adieu
As storied as an original 6 franchise the Bruins are I was going to say that he’s hardly one of the best players in franchise history but after looking it up he’s 3rd in games, 3rd in goals, 4th in assists and 3rd in points. I thought he would be near 10th.. Boston is an original 6 franchise after all and have had really good players. He definitely should’ve won a couple more cups. Really fun to watch him from afar. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out of retirement towards the playoffs next year for one last run.
Well … nearly a thousand players have worn the Bruins uniform over the years. If Bergeron *was* no better than tenth in a number of team career marks, that would still have him as one of the best players in franchise history.
I saw Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito play, I saw Ray Bourque and Johnny Bucyk, Rick Middleton and Cam Neely and Peter McNab and Zdeno Chara and Johnny McKenzie and Gerry Cheevers and Tuukka Rask and Brad Marchand and sixty years now of Bruins legends. There’s a special place in the Bruins’ firmament for Patrice Bergeron. I’m lucky to have seen him play, and blessed that he played in black and gold.
And thank you, Ethan: that was a splendid encomium and tribute.
Incredible career. Always really liked him. This is definitely one of those retirements that makes me feel like I’m getting old lol.
If you’re a hockey fan, you love Patrice. Seriously, if you don’t love hockey first, then you’re watching the wrong sport. If you don’t love a guy who can do everything, wins faceoffs, kills penalties, scores big goals, is on the ice both when you’re protecting a lead, and when you’re trying to tie it, then you’re in the wrong place. Bless you Patrice. You’ve been an all time great. I’ll look forward to visiting your spot in the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations Patrice Bergeron on a great career…
May your retirement be just as successful