Patrice Bergeron Officially Retires

[TJHKY]

Best defensive forward, great career!

 

[J1mLahey]

As a Leaf fan you couldn’t even hate this guy. Class act and a master of his craft. Feels like he was just a part of that WJHC team and now retiring, time truly does fly.

All the best in retirement, he’s certainly earned this.

 

[serp]

Not many players left from the 2003 draft in the NHL now.

 

[Voight]

Crazy thing is, Bergeron essentially played one major junior season pre-NHL.

His "rookie" QMJHL season, he played AAA most of the year and got in 4 games total in the Q. Next year (2002-2003), has a solid season, gets drafted in the 2nd round and makes the Bruins out of camp.

 

[thehoffs]

Should play into my 1st to 9-10th placement predictions I’ve made.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Amazing career, player and person.

I’d be lying if I wasn’t glad he’s gone though.

 

[AvroArrow]

How many reigning major trophy winners decide to retire? This feels kinda unprecedented for a winner of one of the following to just retire:

Hart
Art Ross
Richard
Norris
Selke
Vezina
Lindsay

Who knows what his body is going through. A 19 year pro sports career is a LOOONG time, he's had some deep playoff runs as well.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Who knows what his body is going through. A 19 year pro sports career is a LOOONG time, he's had some deep playoff runs as well.

I don't blame him at all. Full respect to him for his career, and for going out "on top" before he became a liability. It's really a credit to his game that he was able to still perform at a world class level despite the number of miles on his body.

 

[dalewood12]

Legend.

As a Pens fan, I'll never forget his performance against us in the ECF in 2013. He helped suck the life out of our team.

Also, watching him create magic with Sid and Bergy on the top WCH line was definitely a big memory for me.

All the best, Bergy!

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Helluva career.

 

[Over the volcano]

Total model of a player and a human being.

 

[Sun God Nika]

As a hockey fan I hate this. As a sens fan I am ecstatic.

Won’t lie and say he was one of my favourite players but he was definitely one of the players I had the most respect for despite the bruins constantly wiping the sens over the years

 

[ClasslessGuy]

Legend and role model

 

[Empoleon8771]

One of the classiest guys hockey fans have had the privilege watching. Fantastic career and hope he has a great retirement.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Much respect to Bergeron for an amazing HOF career. Great hockey player and even better human being.

 

[NYR94]

It's sad to see him retire, but what an incredible career. Much respect from this Rangers fan.

 

[wintersej]

Crushing

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

There are no words. All I can say is thank you.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Going to get rough. Great career for Bergeron though.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I don't blame him at all. Full respect to him for his career, and for going out "on top" before he became a liability. It's really a credit to his game that he was able to still perform at a world class level despite the number of miles on his body.

I wonder how much this exact consideration may have motivated his retirement. Clearly he could have pressed on and kept playing, but at what cost to his body.

 

[Rockomax]

I'm a sad habs fan. Only respect for him.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

What a machine.
Ecstatic the Senators don't have to deal with him, but end of an era for sure.
A new Selke Trophy winner next year...

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Very lucky he got that one Cup thanks to Thomas having the greatest playoff run of any goalie since the 2005 lockout, or he'd be the best player to never win one.

The funny thing a lot of people forget is that the Bruins had a 3-2 lead late in game 7 before Bergeron took a bad high sticking call in the offensive zone with around 2 minutes left.

IIRC Bergeron didn't make contact with his stick but it was still dumb of him to be that aggressive up a goal in the offensive zone.

Subban tied the game on the ensuing powerplay. In OT a puck deflected of a player and was inches from going in the empty net against Boston. Luckily the Bruins won in OT otherwise that team was most likely going to get blown up that offseason. Julien definitely would have been fired.

Crazy reminder how much hockey is a game of inches.

 

[MileHIGHAvz]

This hockey fan is sad today. Patrice was an unbelievable player and person, the ultimate teammate and leader, and I’ve never heard anybody say a single negative thing about him. Good luck to him and I can’t wait to watch his jersey retirement, tears will be shed no doubt

 

[Romang67]

One of my favorite players in the league. Sad to see him go, but what a career. Drafted halfway through the second round, immediately made the NHL, concussed almost into retirement early in his career, and then became one of the best defensive forwards in league history.

And, as has been mentioned, a thoroughly likeable Boston Bruin.

Is it time to introduce the Patrice Bergeron Memorial Trophy?

Once again, we can't just kill people because we want new trophies. Retired or not.