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Perhaps he’ll run a marathon. He most likely will not be teaching. For now, Patrice Bergeron is content material to be the “Uber driver for the household,” and that is a fairly good feeling.
“It’s been an incredible journey, 20 years, but additionally hockey brings you numerous stress and stress,” he mentioned on Wednesday at a TD Backyard information convention a day after he introduced his retirement. “So, will probably be a pleasant change to only have the ability to be the Uber driver for the household for somewhat bit and simply chill out.”
A soon-to-be Hall of Famer who centered the primary line on the very best crew in hockey throughout his closing season, Bergeron introduced on Tuesday that he wouldn’t return subsequent season.
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Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins waves to followers earlier than exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in additional time of Recreation Seven of the First Spherical of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Backyard on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Pictures)
It wasn’t that his abilities had been slipping: He received his second straight Selke Trophy because the league’s prime ahead— and sixth total — and led the Bruins to probably the most wins and most factors in NHL historical past. However his want to organize for the video games was.
“It was taking loads longer now. I couldn’t simply put the tools on and soar on the ice,” he mentioned.
“I needed to play the sport on the highest degree that I may, and felt like I needed to type of depart on prime of my sport,” Bergeron informed a gathering of reporters, with representatives from possession and the entrance workplace additionally in attendance for the information convention within the aptly named Legends restaurant. “I simply knew it was time.”
Bergeron scored 427 objectives with 613 assists in 19 seasons with the Bruins, who chosen him within the second spherical of the 2003 draft. He added 50 extra objectives and 78 factors within the playoffs, main the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Closing 3 times, and scoring twice — one in all them short-handed — within the Recreation 7 clincher against Vancouver. The French-speaking native of the Quebec Metropolis suburbs additionally received two Olympic gold medals with Canada.
BRUINS CAPTAIN PATRICE BERGERON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 19 SEASONS IN BOSTON
Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins hugs Brad Marchand #63 earlier than exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in additional time of Recreation Seven of the First Spherical of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Backyard on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Pictures)
Bruins president Cam Neely mentioned the crew hadn’t made any plans but to honor their former captain, however retiring his No. 37 is “a no brainer.” “We’ll work out a time to try this,” Neely mentioned.
The entrance workplace and training workers can even talk about the brand new captain. Brad Marchand is the longest-tenured member of the roster, and he has worn the alternate’s “A” since 2020, when Bergeron was elevated to the captaincy with the departure of Zdeno Chara. (Bergeron famous that Chara did not precisely let himself go, working the Boston Marathon final 12 months.)
Neely mentioned he and the remainder of the Bruins administration tried to speak Bergeron out of retiring, with no luck.
“The recurring theme was at all times that you simply’re going to know when it’s time. And it simply felt prefer it was,” Bergeron mentioned. “I’m a really intuitive man. I really feel like I at all times take heed to my instincts and my coronary heart, and it simply felt prefer it was time for me to maneuver on. Sadly, I want I may play without end and by no means have to do that. However, as you understand, ultimately it’s a must to transfer on. The physique tells you one thing generally.”
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Boston Bruins middle Patrice Bergeron (37) and Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) hug after Recreation 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence, Sunday, Might 23, 2021, in Washington. The Bruins received 3-1. (AP Photograph/Nick Wass)
Bergeron, 38, led the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup championship and two different journeys to the Closing. He thought of retirement final summer season, however got here again on a one-year deal and helped Boston win the Presidents Trophy with the NHL’s greatest report ever.
However after a first-round loss within the playoffs, although, he went by way of the thought course of once more.
“When the wound is recent, you’ll be able to’t make rational selections. You must actually be sure you take into consideration issues or a minimum of give your self time to let it come to you, and I felt like that’s what I did,” Bergeron mentioned. “There was part of me that, sure, needed to return again early on. … As soon as I took a step again and I noticed all the things that I used to be lucky to expertise and reside as a hockey participant and as an individual, I felt very fortunate and grateful.”
Bergeron didn’t spend a lot time reminiscing about his profession highlights. However he was requested about one second that proved to be formative: The concussion that ended his 2007-08 season after 10 video games and left him appreciating the sport much more.
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Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins skates in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks in the course of the first interval on the TD Backyard on November 13, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins received 5-2. (Richard T Gagnon/Getty Pictures)
“Issues occur for a cause,” he mentioned. “After all, I’d like to vary that second, however on the similar time I wouldn’t as a result of it made me stronger and made me understand how grateful I’m and grateful to have the ability to play. It took that away from me for fairly a while, so for each time in tougher days or canine days of winter when it’s darkish, I at all times attempt to go and respect follow, or a exercise, or clearly the video games. So it’s taught me loads.”
Bergeron’s retirement introduced tributes from the Boston locker room and throughout the league.
“What you’ve constructed right here is particular,” Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy mentioned in a video posted by the crew. “I promise I’ll do all the things I can to deal with it. I really like you. I do know we’ll be pals without end, and I wish to want you the very best of luck in your subsequent chapter along with your lovely household.”
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