BOSTON — Patrice Bergeron, who in twenty years with the Boston Bruins established himself because the NHL’s dominant two-way ahead and some of the revered gamers within the sport, introduced Tuesday “with a full heart and a lot of gratitude” that he’ll retire.
“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,” the Bruins captain stated in a press release posted on social media. “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. I left everything out there and I’m humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans.”
Bergeron, who turned 38 on Monday, helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and make two different journeys to the Final. He thought of retirement final summer season solely to return for an additional season: With him because the captain and the first-line heart, the Bruins posted the perfect regular-season report in NHL historical past, and Bergeron received an unprecedented sixth Selke Trophy because the NHL’s high defensive ahead.
But Bergeron missed the primary 4 video games of the playoffs with a herniated disk, and the Stanley Cup favorites misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs to the Florida Panthers. He wrote Tuesday that he is aware of “how blessed and lucky I feel to have had the career that I have had, and that I have the opportunity to leave the game I love on my terms.”
“It wasn’t a decision that I came to lightly,” he stated. “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.”
In all, Bergeron scored 427 targets with 613 assists in 19 seasons – all with the Bruins, who chosen him within the second spherical of the 2003 draft.
His announcement thanked the Bruins administration and employees, the Boston followers and media and his teammates and household and ended with a message to the following technology of hockey gamers.
“I had a dream at 12 years old, and through hard work and perseverance my dreams came true more than I ever could have imagined,” he wrote. “Respect the game and your peers. Welcome adversity and simply enjoy yourself. No matter where you go from there the game will bring you so much happiness.”
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