Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron is hanging up his skates after nearly two decades in the NHL, he announced in a letter on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Canadian, who spent his entire 19-year NHL career in Boston, penned an emotional statement on the Bruins’ website to reveal the news.
“For the last 20 years I have been able to live my dream every day,” Bergeron wrote. “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.”
19 seasons. 1,294 games. All with the @NHLBruins. 💛
— NHL (@NHL) July 25, 2023
Congratulations on a legendary career, Patrice! 👏 pic.twitter.com/616tr8lj37
Bergeron played all of his 1,294 games in a Bruins uniform. The 2011 Stanley Cup winner finishes his career with 427 goals and over 1,000 points.
Known as one of the best two-way players in hockey, Bergeron won the Selke Trophy, which goes to the NHL’s best defensive forward, a record six times. He won the honor in each of the last two seasons and was also a three-time All-Star.
