NHL

Patrice Bergeron retirement: NHL world reacts to Bruins captain calling it a career after 19 years

After 19 years and weeks of speculation, Patrice Bergeron has officially called it a career. 

In a long letter to fans, the Bruins captain announced his retirement from hockey on Tuesday morning.

“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.”

Bergeron was an unrestricted free agent this summer, but it was unclear whether or not he would come back for another season in Boston. He elects to hang up the skates after 19 successful seasons in the NHL, skating in 1,294 games while recording 427 goals and 1,040 points. 

“As I step away today, I have no regrets,” Bergeron said. “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.”

The 38-year-old Quebec native retires not only as one of the greatest players to wear the Spoked B, but one of the greatest two-way forwards of all time. Bergeron is the all-time Selke Trophy winner, coming off his record sixth win in 2023, and is a Stanley Cup champion, helping the Bruins win a title in 2011. 

He is a member of the Triple Gold club, winning an Olympic gold medal and World Championship gold in addition to his Stanley Cup. He also earned the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2013, and the Mark messier Leadership Award in 2021. 

MORE: When does the 2023-24 NHL season start? 

In Boston history, Bergeron ranks in the top five across a number of different categories. He ranks second in shots and game-winning goals, third in games played, goals and points, and fourth in assists, even-strength goals, power-play goals and shorthanded goals. 

Here’s how the hockey world reacted to the news of the longtime Bruins captain’s retirement.

Social media reacts to Patrice Bergeron’s retirement

Fellow players, opposing teams and media members reacted to the news of Bergeron’s retirement. 

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