Patrice Bergeron has retired.
As anyone who has spent more than a couple minutes reading blogs on this site is probably well aware of, my co-author Aidan and I are massive Boston sports fans, and have been our whole lives. Given that we’re in our early 20s, Patrice Bergeron has been on the Bruins for as long as we can remember, and I say that in a literal sense.
Bergeron was drafted in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Bruins in the second round with the 45th overall pick. He made the team in his rookie season, which is abnormal for a second round pick, and he never looked back. For the ensuing 20 years (19 seasons due to the 2004-2005 NHL lockout), he was the ultimate professional and a figure of extraordinary class that represented the Black and Gold to a degree that is beyond admirable. He was a noted leader, earning the honor of alternate captain in just his third season at the age of 21, and eventually donning the “C” in 2020 after the retirement of long-time captain Zdeno Chara. He has proudly given all he had for the city of Boston, and the city of Boston has in return emphatically taken him in as one of their own. He came to town as a wide-eyed 18 year old kid from Quebec that didn’t even have a complete grasp of the English language, and he has become the perfect Bruin and a model Bostonian.
The admiration for Bergeron is by no means limited to Massachusetts and New England. Bergeron has long been considered one of, if not the most highly-respected players across the league, and fans and teams from across the sports world have made that apparent today by professing high praise upon Patrice upon the announcement of his retirement. Even the most bitter of Boston’s rivals have had nothing but commendations.
I think former NHL player and current host on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast Ryan Whitney put it very well here:
I also agree with Whitney on the point of Bergeron being the second greatest Bruin ever, although he may be tied with Ray Bourque. Bobby Orr, the greatest defenseman of all time who revolutionized the way the position is played, is an easy number 1. And while there may be other Bruins who have put up gaudier stats, like Phil Esposito for example, no one can outmatch Bergeron’s leadership and grace. He was also instrumental in bringing Boston its sole Stanley Cup since 1972 in 2011, a feat even Bourque could not accomplish. Not to mention, Bergeron is a clear first-ballot hall of famer based on his on-ice production alone. He got to the peak of the NHL mountain with that Cup, and although that was the only win, he was integral in keeping the Bruins within striking distance of that summit for over a decade straight.
He has 1,040 career points with 427 goals and 613 assists, and is also widely regarded as one of the best two-way players in league history for his prowess on the defensive end. He earned a record six Selke trophies for best defensive forward, and honestly deserved more than that.
I don’t fully understand what all of those fancy stats mean, but I do know they’re really, really good.
It’s a shame that the Bruins’ season ended the way it did. They had a terrific and historic season, cementing themselves in the regular season as one of the NHL’s best ever teams, winning a record 65 games and compiling a record 135 points. But the great (albeit often frustrating) thing about sports is that the best team does not always win. That’s what makes them interesting. It would have been a fitting end for Bergeron to have been able to ride off into the sunset after a Stanley Cup victory, but things didn’t go the Bs’ way. That’s okay, though, because the end of this season does absolutely nothing to detract from the greatness of Bergeron’s career.
It’s going to be very strange to watch the upcoming Bruins season with the absence of Bergeron. Over the years he has given Boston fans some incredible moments, and I’m grateful that I got to watch him play. The team should waste no time putting number 37 up into the TD Garden rafters. I wish him the best in his retirement. Thank you, Patrice.
Hi Jack,
While you guys have enjoyed Bergeron playing, I recall when he was deafted (yes, am old :-)) and his parents had to make the move with him. It has been so great to watch him grow and play in Boston. #honered
-Marie