Patrice Bergeron announces his retirement after 19 seasons

After 19 seasons in Boston, Patrice Bergeron is retiring from professional hockey, he announced in a statement through the Bruins on Tuesday morning, a day after his 38th birthday.

"It is with a full heart and a lot of gratitude that today I am announcing my retirement as a professional hockey player," Bergeron wrote. 

"As hard as it is to write, I also write it knowing how blessed and lucky I feel to have had the career that I have had, and that I have the opportunity to leave the game I love on my terms. It wasn't a decision that I came to lightly. 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."

No. 37 leaves the game with a resume that includes a Stanley Cup in 2011, a record six Selke Trophies, a King Clancy Trophy, a Mark Messier Leadership Award, three All-Star appearances, 1,040 points (427 goals) in 1,294 NHL regular season games and 128 points (50 goals) in 170 Stanley Cup Playoff games. On the international stage, the captain has two Olympic gold medals with Canada as well as golds at the World Championships, World Cup of Hockey and the World Junior Championship. 

"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," Bergeron wrote. 

Bergeron had 27 goals and 58 points in 71 games during Boston's historic regular season in 2022-23, his third as captain. A herniated disc sustained in the regular season finale held him out of the first four games of the playoffs before he returned with a goal in three games before the Florida Panthers upset the Bruins in the first round. 

Cam Neely and Don Sweeney said ahead of the draft the franchise had to operate as if Bergeron would not return, while at the same time, giving him ample time and space to reach his decision, similar to last offseason. 

Now that Bergeron has made his call, he ends his career sitting third all-time in Bruins history for games played, third in goals, fourth in assists and third in points. He's second in playoff games played and tied for second in playoff scoring. 

"As I step away today, I have no regrets," Bergeron wrote. "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.

Boston still awaits David Krejci's official decision. 

BSJ Analysis... 

On his decision...

• Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end. 
• I just didn't think that end would be this offseason, even if it was a distinct possibility the whole time. Consider a large portion of us, myself included, very wrong on our assumptions of Bergeron's decision this offseason. 
• Sure, after the Game 7 loss to Florida, Bergeron's emotional salute and farewell at TD Garden felt very final, but in hearing him speak in the following days – saying he didn't know if he would have retired had they won the Cup – made me pause. I also felt returning for the centennial season might have been appealing to him as well. In the end, Bergeron opted for what he thinks is the best call.
• It's undoubtedly a Hall of Fame resume he's taking with him, one that makes it a matter of 'if' not 'when' his No. 37 will hang in the rafters at TD Garden. I'd also assume the Selke Trophy will become the Bergeron Trophy at some point down the line. 
• Still, Bergeron had plenty of game left, and it's not exactly his prowess was slipping at an alarming rate, if at all. But it's likely always better to go out before one's game crumbles away. 
• Off the ice, with a young, growing family, it's easy to see why Bergeron opted for retirement, though. He and his wife Stephanie just welcomed their third son, Felix. Bergeron ended a season injured once again with his herniated disc. Did he really want to put his body through the grind of another 82-game schedule and possible playoff run? 
• There are too many moments to look back on. There was the Game 7 comeback against Toronto in 2013 – Bergeron's equalizer with 50.2 seconds remaining in regulation and his game-winner 6:05 into overtime. There were his two goals in Game 7 in Vancouver in 2011 en route to the Stanley Cup. There was his feed to Marco Sturm in overtime of the Winter Classic at Fenway Park in 2010. Two additional trips to the Stanley Cup Final. 
• It'll always be a shame his core only won the lone Cup in 2011. The way the runs in 2013 and 2019 ended will always leave a sour taste, as well as not making a run in 2023.
• Nevertheless, No. 37's continued form of excellence on and off the ice, coupled with the accolades he does have, leave him with one of the best legacies we've seen. Defined what it meant to be a professional in every aspect of the game. 

On where the Bruins go...

• Now, as we await Krejci's call, which – like last offseason – could come in short order behind Bergeron's, we take stock of where Boston is at down the middle for the centennial season. 
• Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are now in line to shoulder the workload in the top-six – is that enough? 
• The bottom-six is in better shape with options like Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie, Jesper Boqvist, Patrick Brown, Marc McLaughlin or Johnny Beecher. Perhaps Georgii Merkulov makes a push in the top-nine. 
• Center help in the long term is still a ways away. Merkulov, Matthew Poitras and Brett Harrison all have potential but are not particularly close to becoming established NHL players. Boston has plenty of cap space in a loaded free agent class in 2024 to potentially help themselves out at center for the long haul. 
• A lot of the onus now falls on Boston's wingers, strong defense group and elite goaltending tandem.
• Looking at who could be next in line to receive the captaincy, it's hard to not to assume Brad Marchand takes over the 'C.'