Boston Bruins Quebec forward Patrice Bergeron hangs up his skates.
The holder of six career Selke Trophies announced on Tuesday that he will not be back for a 20e season with the only team he played for in the NHL. The Bruins captain said he feels no remorse.
“Around the age of 12, a teacher asked us to write about our dreams. For me, there was no doubt: I wanted to become a professional hockey player, could we read in a press release from the Bruins transmitted in English and French. For the past 20 years, I have been able to live my dream every day. »
“I had the great honor of wearing the Bruins uniform and playing in front of the best fans in the world in Boston. Add to that the immense pride of having represented Canada in the greatest international competitions. I left everything on the ice both physically and emotionally and hockey gave me more back than I could have imagined. »
“It is with a heavy heart and enormous gratitude that I announce today my retirement as a professional hockey player,” he added.
Bergeron, who celebrated his 38e anniversary Monday, led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011 and two more appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Bruins set records last season in ranking points and wins.
He missed the first four playoff games, however, with a herniated disc, and the favorites to win the Stanley Cup were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers.
He mentioned Tuesday that “even though this is a difficult step, I am fully aware of my privilege and my luck to have had such a great career and to be able to choose when to retire from the sport that I love so much. My decision was not taken lightly. I have consulted my family and listened to my body so well that I am convinced that this is the right time to bow out”.
Bergeron, who replaced Zdeno Chara as Bruins captain at the start of the 2020-21 season, ranks third in Bruins history in games played (1,294), points (1,040) and goals (427), as well as fourth in assists (613) in the regular season.
He is also second in playoff games with Boston (170), third in goals (50) and assists (78) and second, tied with Brad Marchand and David Krejci, in points (128).
“I feel like I’ve done my best and I’ve given my all for the incredible city of Boston and the Bruins fans,” he said. I have no regrets, only gratitude for having been able to live my dream. I am excited to now start a new chapter with my family. »
The L’Ancienne-Lorette player has scored 427 goals and 613 assists in 19 seasons — all with the Bruins, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he’s established himself as one of the league’s most complete and respected forwards. Bergeron notably won the Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL, for the sixth time in his career last season – a record.
With Jimmy Golen