Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron retires

Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron is calling it a career after 19 seasons in the NHL, the veteran center announced Tuesday.

"It wasn't a decision that I came to lightly," he wrote in a 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 just celebrated his 38th birthday Monday, added that it was important to leave the NHL on his own terms. He retires as the game's top two-way center. He captured his league-leading sixth Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's premier defensive forward in June after posting 27 goals and 58 points in 78 matchups this past season.

The future Hall of Famer was a finalist for the Selke Trophy for 12 straight seasons and consistently dominated the voting for the award.

Bergeron ends his NHL career with 427 goals and 1,040 points in 1,294 career regular-season contests, all with the Bruins. He ranks third in franchise history in each of those categories.

He won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2011 and racked up 128 points in 170 career playoff games. Bergeron was a warrior during the Bruins' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013, memorably playing through torn rib cartilage, a broken rib, a separated shoulder, and a punctured lung against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bergeron had a knack for improving as he aged and put up his best statistical NHL season in 2018-19 when he was 33. That campaign, he ranked third on the Bruins with a career-high 32 goals and 79 points in 65 games.

The Quebec native was also an ace in the faceoff circle. Bergeron has taken the most draws (26,206) in NHL history and owns a dazzling career win percentage of 57.9%.

The Bruins shared a video celebrating Bergeron's accomplishments shortly after announcing his decision to hang up his skates:

"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," Bergeron, who has served as the Bruins' captain since 2021, said. "I left everything out there, and I'm humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans."

Though Bergeron departs on a high at an individual level, the Bruins failed to live up to their lofty expectations during his final season.

Boston set records for the most wins (65) and points (135) in NHL history this past season, but the talented team was upset by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the postseason. Bergeron couldn't play until Game 5 of the series due to a herniated disc in his back, but the ailment didn't require surgery.

After Boston's surprise playoff exit, Bergeron wasn't ready to make a decision on his future, adding that the loss "hurts" and is "hard to process."

Bergeron's teammates from the 2022-23 season expressed their appreciation for his leadership in a heartwarming video:

Bergeron's NHL future was similarly called into question at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, but he opted to prolong his career by signing a team-friendly one-year pact with a cap hit of $2.5 million.

The Bruins selected him in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Bergeron enjoyed plenty of success on the international stage, winning gold with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He also ascended to the top of the podium at the 2004 World Hockey Championship, the 2005 world juniors, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

A leader off the ice as well, Bergeron won the 2013 King Clancy Memorial Trophy due to his contributions to his community.

"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 never forget your trust, the laughs, the endless memories, the ups and downs, and ultimately the long-lasting friendships."