Patrice Bergeron, one of the greatest Boston Bruins of all time, announced his retirement Tuesday after 19 seasons in the NHL.
Before the 2022-23 season, the Bruins captain signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, plus an additional $2.5 million in performance-based incentives.
The 37-year-old had 27 goals and 31 assists in 78 games for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins this season. He also earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defensive forward, for a record-extending sixth time.
The Bruins set an NHL record for most points in the regular season but were victims of a stunning upset in seven games by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In an emotional post-game moment after the Bruins were officially eliminated, Bergeron took the time to hug every single one of his teammates before the team headed to the locker room.
The future Hockey Hall of Famer, who will eventually see his number retired by the Bruins, said that he needed time before calling it a career. Bergeron told reporters post-game that he would discuss the situation with his family.
Bergeron also revealed after the Game 7 loss that he was playing with a herniated disc in his back.
Bergeron collected 1,040 points (427 goals, 613 assists) in 1,294 games across his 19-year career.
He helped the Bruins lift the Stanley Cup in 2011, putting up 20 points across 23 playoff games en route to the sixth championship in franchise history. Bergeron had 50 goals and 128 points in 170 career post-season games for Boston.
Bergeron is well known for his defensive prowess, and has won the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward five separate times.
