‘I couldn’t be more grateful’: Patrice Bergeron sheds light on NHL retirement
Boston Bruins icon and longtime captain Patrice Bergeron met with media members today to discuss his decision to retire from the National Hockey League.
Bergeron quickly offered thanks and appreciation for the city of Boston, “Thank you for everything; it’s been an absolute honor. When you get drafted, you never know where you’re going to end up,” Bergeron said at TD Garden. “I couldn’t be more grateful or thankful.”
This come just one day after Bergeron announced he was stepping away from the game after 19 seasons with the Bruins. He walks away as one of the top seven players in the almost 100-year history of the Bruins franchise.
"The main thing was probably the body and spending more time with the family."
Patrice Bergeron discusses his decision to call it a career. pic.twitter.com/LqyCOTkYGB
“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,” Bergeron said in a statement Tuesday 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.”
His decision to retire wasn’t complicated, saying, “First and foremost, it’s taking some time for myself and my family and spending some more time at home. As you know, I’ve always been grateful and thankful for being a professional athlete and being able to live a childhood dream and also at the same time, it takes away some family time and some time away from the kids, so I have some catching up to do. I’m looking forward to that.”
“It’s just time for me to move on. I wanted to leave on top of my game,” Bergeron said.
Bergeron finished his career with 427 goals and 613 assists for 1,040 points in 1,294 career regular season games. He also tallied 128 points (50 goals, 78 assists) in 170 career playoff games.
One of the biggest accomplishments in Bergeron’s career was when he scored twice in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final against the Vancouver Canucks. He also scored the game-tying and game-winning goals during the huge comeback over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the first round of the 2013 playoffs.
Other accolades include two Olympic gold medals, a World Championship gold medal, a Junior World Championships gold medal, a Spengler Cup gold medal, a World Cup gold medal, six Selke Trophies, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award. He is one of 11 Canadians in the Triple Gold Club.