Patrice Bergeron ended his 19-year career on Tuesday when he announced his retirement from the Bruins in a heartfelt statement.
The 38-year-old — who celebrated his birthday on Monday — spent his entire career in Boston and exemplified leadership on and off the ice long before he was named the 20th captain in team history ahead of the 2021-22 season.
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The Bruins are going to look different next year, especially without Bergeron as the top-line center. But he’ll all but certainly have his No. 37 retired to the TD Garden rafters and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2026.
A career like Bergeron’s doesn’t come around often. Here are just some of the (many) top moments of his career.
Bergeron scores game-winner in 2013 Game 7 vs. Maple Leafs
Bergeron’s goal completed the improbable comeback and led to the famous, “Bergeron! Bergeron!” radio call from Dave Goucher. Trailing 4-1 in the third period in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the Bruins slowly started chipping away at Toronto’s lead. Nathan Horton scored, followed by Milan Lucic to make it 4-3. Then with 50.2 seconds left, Bergeron potted the game-tying goal.
The game went to overtime where Bergeron played hero again and scored off a rebound and stunned the Maple Leafs in the first round.
Raising the Stanley Cup in 2011
Bergeron raised what would be only Stanley Cup on June 15, 2011 when the Bruins blanked the Canucks in Vancouver with a 4-0 win Game 7. He scored two goals in the first period, including the eventual game-winner.
Their Game 7 win marked the first time in NHL history that a team won three Game 7′s in the same postseason.
Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron carries the Stanley Cup. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Being named 20th captain in franchise history
Once Zdeno Chara signed with the Capitals after 14 seasons as the Bruins captain in Dec. 2020, it was an obvious choice to give the “C” to Bergeron. That’s exactly what happened when the team officially named him the 20th captain ahead of his 17th season.
“I think leadership is all about making sure you’re able to surround yourself with great people, which I am, and also being able to connect with guys and speak from the heart when it’s needed, lead by example,” Bergeron said in 2021 of being named captain, via the NHL. “I don’t think I’m going to change any of that stuff. I think I’m going to try to communicate and make sure we connect as a team and we create something special moving forward.
“But that being said, I think there’s a culture that’s been established here for many, many years and there’s been tremendous and amazing leaders and captains over the years,” he continued. “There’s been a culture that’s been in place. We’re going to try to carry that on.”
But before the B’s gave him the honor, they couldn’t help but play a prank on Bergeron. Then-coach Bruce Cassidy pretended to name Brad Marchand the next captain. He accepted the fake jersey and addressed the locker room by saying, “I think we all know who the real captain is” before presenting Bergeron with the actual jersey.
Playing in 2013 Stanley Cup Final with slew of injuries
It’s hard to think of the 2013 Cup Final between the Bruins and the Blackhawks without thinking of the injuries Bergeron played through. Aside from the usual bumps and bruises of playing a regular season coupled with the playoffs, Bergeron confirmed he played with racked ribs, torn cartilage, a punctured lung plus a separated shoulder he suffered in Boston’s Game 6, series-eliminating loss to Chicago.
“In my mind, for sure, I wanted to play,” Bergeron told reporters in 2013, via ESPN. “I was hoping for the pain to go down but that wasn’t the case. After Game 5, I was in a lot of pain. The next day I was just trying to find a way (to) manage the pain, I guess, but it was definitely there. On the day of Game 6, we met with the doctors and they were telling me the only way I could play was to have a nerve block, otherwise the pain would be too high, so I did that in order to play.”
Winning his sixth Selke Trophy
Bergeron’s record six Selke Trophy’s is just one reason he’ll surely be inducted into the Hall of Fame once he’s eligible in 2026. The 38-year-old won his sixth — awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forward — in June. It was the second consecutive season Bergeron took home the award.
The nomination marked the 12th straight time Bergeron was named a finalist and previously won in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022. He received 187 out of a possible 196 first-place votes.
Joining 1,000-point club
On Nov. 21, 2022 reached 1,000 career points in the Bruins’ 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bergeron assisted on Marchand’s goal to become the fourth player in franchise history to reach the milestone. He joins Ray Bourque (1,506), Johnny Bucyk (1,339), and Phil Esposito (1,012).
The Bruins were on the road when this happened, but chants of “Bergy!” could be heard throughout Amalie Arena.
Bergeron was honored by the Bruins at TD Garden the following month in a pregame ceremony that featured the captain being presented with a gold stick, a $37,000 check made out to Patrice’s Pal’s charity and a crystal plaque. Marchand and David Krejci also presented Bergeron with gifts.
Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP
Plays in 1,000 games with Bruins
It’s impressive when a player reaches the 1,000 game milestone. But to do it with one team is incredible. Bergeron did the latter and became the fifth player in Bruins history to play at least 1,000 games with the franchise on Feb. 5, 2019. He scored twice in the win over the Islanders.
Bergeron joined Bourque (1,518 games), Bucyk (1,436), Don Sweeney (1,052) and Wayne Cashman (1,027).
A few days later he was honored in a pregame ceremony.
Honorable mentions
Bergeron appeared in all four of the Bruins’ Winter Classic games.
Bergeron scored his first hat trick on Jan. 11, 2011 against the Ottawa Senators.
Bergeron won the King Clancy Trophy for the 2012-13 season.
Bergeron amassed at least 50 points in 14 of his 19 seasons.
Bergeron scored a career-high 79 points in the 2018-19 season.
