Patrice Bergeron, who led the Boston Bruins to the 2011 championship and two other trips to the Stanley Cup Final over two decades in which he established himself as the NHL害羞草研究所檚 dominant two-way forward and one of the most respected players in the game, announced Tuesday 害羞草研究所渨ith a full heart and a lot of gratitude害羞草研究所� that he was retiring.
害羞草研究所淚 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,害羞草研究所� the Bruins captain said in a statement posted on social media. 害羞草研究所淎s 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害羞草研究所檓 humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans.害羞草研究所�
The Bruins are expected to retire Bergeron害羞草研究所檚 No. 37, making him the 12th player so honored. He is a certain first-ballot inductee for the Hockey Hall of Fame when he is eligible in three years.
害羞草研究所淧atrice is a perfect example of what Boston Bruins hockey is all about,害羞草研究所� said team president Cam Neely, himself a Hall of Fame player whose number has been retired by the Original Six franchise. 害羞草研究所淗e has been an amazing teammate and extraordinary leader, helping establish a culture of work ethic, respect and selflessness.害羞草研究所�
Bergeron, who turned 38 on Monday, considered retirement last summer only to return for another season. With him as the captain and the first-line center, the Bruins set , and Bergeron won an unprecedented sixth Selke Trophy as the NHL害羞草研究所檚 top defensive forward.
But Bergeron missed the first four games of the playoffs with a herniated disk, and in the first round of the playoffs .
Bergeron wrote Tuesday that he knows 害羞草研究所渉ow 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.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚t wasn害羞草研究所檛 a decision that I came to lightly,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淏ut 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.害羞草研究所�
In all, Bergeron scored 427 goals with 613 assists in 19 seasons with the Bruins, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft. He added 50 more goals and 78 points in the playoffs, leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final three times, and scoring twice 害羞草研究所� one of them shorthanded 害羞草研究所� in the . The French-speaking native of the Quebec City suburbs also won two Olympic gold medals with Canada.
He is third all-time for the 100-year-old franchise in goals, points (1,040) and games played (1,294), and fourth in assists behind only Hall of Famers Ray Bourque, Johnny Bucyk and Bobby Orr. With Bergeron害羞草研究所檚 retirement, Brad Marchand becomes the only remaining member of the 2011 championship team, though Milan Lucic re-signed with the team this summer after eight seasons away.
To his teammates, Bergeron wrote: 害羞草研究所淚 have tried to learn something from each and every one of you and I always tried to be the best teammate that I could be. I will never forget your trust, the laughs, the endless memories, the ups and downs, and ultimately the long lasting friendships. I will forever be grateful being a part of such an exceptional group of men, and I will carry the pride of winning in 2011 with me forever.害羞草研究所�
He also thanked the Bruins management and staff, the Boston fans and media, and his teammates and family and ended with a message to the next generation of hockey players.
害羞草研究所淚 had a dream at 12 years old, and through hard work and perseverance my dreams came true more than I ever could have imagined,害羞草研究所� he wrote. 害羞草研究所淩espect 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.害羞草研究所�
Kent Hughes, a longtime agent of Bergeron who is now general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, said in a statement his client unknowingly taught him a lot along the way.
害羞草研究所淚 am proud and thankful to have been a small part of your journey,害羞草研究所� Hughes said. 害羞草研究所淵ou arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old speaking broken English, and you leave the game today a man, husband, father and one of the greatest leaders the National Hockey League has ever known.害羞草研究所�
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