Bergeron: 'It Just Felt Like It Was Time'

BOSTON -Patrice Bergeron has known nothing but hitting the ice.

A childhood full of minor hockey, two years of junior, and 19 seasons in the Spoked-B.

But now, the 38-year-old is set for a new challenge - perhaps his most important yet.

"It will be a nice change to just be able to be the Uber driver for the family for a little bit and just relax," said Bergeron, whose wife, Stephanie, recently gave birth to their fourth child.

And while Bergeron delivered the remark with a smirk and a chuckle, it was as good a signal as any that - after two decades and nearly 1,300 games with the Bruins - the longtime ace centerman of the Black & Gold is at peace with moving on to his next chapter.

"Thank you for everything, it's been an absolute honor," Bergeron, addressing the Bruins fanbase, said during his retirement press conference on Wednesday morning at TD Garden. "When you get drafted, you never know where you're going to end up, what the journey's going to be like, so it's a dream, as I said many times, and I couldn't be more grateful and thankful for being here.

"Arriving as an 18-year-old kid, young adult, and not knowing too much, whether it's the language or even adult life, really…the city really took me under its wing and embraced me. It's been special.

"So, the fans and everyone I'm thankful for, for the memories and everything you guys have brought to me and my family."

The decision to retire, Bergeron explained, was one that he had been contemplating ever since last summer as he eyed spending more time with his wife and children, Zach, Victoria, Noah, and Felix.

"When I signed [last] summer, I knew it was one year," said Bergeron. "I was leaning that it might be my last year so the whole year was kind of preparing for that. And over time the body…realizing that it was just time for me to kind of move on. There's a lot of things that kind of influenced me but the main thing is probably the body and spending more time with the family…also being active and doing other things and other endeavors that I've always wanted to but never really had the time to do."

Bergeron said that while he pondered his future, he had many conversations with people he respects to gather as much advice and as many opinions as possible.

"I talked to a lot of guys over the course of the last year…since last summer," said Bergeron. "To me, the recurring theme was always that you're going to know when it's time. And it just felt like it was. I'm a very intuitive guy. I feel like I always listen to my instincts and my heart, and it just felt like it was time for me to move on. Unfortunately, I wish I could play forever and never have to do this, but eventually you have to move on; the body tells you something sometimes."

Bergeron also made sure to keep Bruins management apprised of his process.

"I had an idea, most of the year, that it was most likely [the final season]," he said. "I wasn't sharing publicly, and I wasn't sharing with many people, but some guys knew that were was a chance. I've always communicated with management, with Cam [Neely] and [Don Sweeney] a lot about it, so they knew even at exit meetings that it was a possibility.

"I put a lot of thought into it, but at the end of the day I feel like it's the right decision for myself. I'm excited for what's to come but obviously it's mixed feelings to be here, sitting here right now…grateful and sad to leave something so special, but also excited to open the next chapter."

While the 2011 Stanley Cup champion had been leaning toward retirement for the better part of a year, he knew that he wanted to take a step back before making the final call. Bergeron felt it was even more important to let the dust settle after Boston's record-setting 2022-23 season came to a shocking end with a Game 7 loss to Florida in the first round.

"That was the biggest thing is when the wound is fresh, you can't make rational decisions. You have to really make sure you think about things, or at least give yourself time to let it come to you, and I felt like that's what I did. There was a part of me that, yes, wanted to come back early on, but as it went on…the bigger part of me was always leaning towards that being my last year," said Bergeron, who added that he will take some time before he decides whether he'd like to return to the hockey world, whether in management, coaching, or some other fashion.

"I was trying to look at the big picture as well and not just be stuck in the ending and look at the whole thing. Once I took a step back and I realized everything that I was fortunate to experience and live as a hockey player and as a person, I felt very lucky and grateful.

"For me, it kind of overweighed that and helped. I guess my decision didn't really factor that in for that long."

Bergeron, who had 27 goals and 58 points in 78 games in his final season, also did not let the fact that he was still at the top of his game cloud his decision-making. If anything, his high level of play only enhanced it.

"I started when I was 18 - it's been 20 years. It's a lot. It's a lot mentally, it's a lot physically. I didn't necessarily need to leave on top of my game, but I am glad I am. I feel good about that. It was more just the body and the mileage with all of the games, and also just time with the family. With four kids now, I am glad that I'm looking forward to spending more time at home, and it felt like it was the right time," said Bergeron, who finished his career with two consecutive Selke Trophy victories and an NHL-record six overall.

Bergeron added that he did not feel his game had slipped significantly, though his ability to prepare at the level that he needed had started to diminish.

"The stretching and the mobility that you have to stay on top of," said Bergeron. "The preparation to get on the ice for practice was getting longer, the games, it just took me more time to prepare. And as far as the game goes, there's always parts of your game that you feel like it's not quite there. It's more of mentally you're just pushing yourself to be better and be on top of your game as much as possible.

"I think you're always trying to work on things, and you're never satisfied, I guess. I've always been that way, so it's hard to really say how I felt my game was. You always kind of know there's room for improvements, so that's how I've always kind of went about my business over the years. But I felt good. I felt good on the ice, felt good skating, felt good making plays and what not.

"I felt like the game was still slowing down when I had the puck. It's not like I felt like I had no time and space, or I couldn't create time and space for myself. It was more the preparation. It was taking a lot longer now. I couldn't just put the equipment on and jump on the ice."

Once the summer got into full swing and Bergeron did not miss the rigorous offseason training that comes with gearing up for the grind of an NHL campaign, he felt even more confident in his decision.

"As I said, I was trying to let the dust settle and see, is there a part of me that is going to want to come back? It was never really the case," said Bergeron. "As you know, the preparation and the routine and the work, that regimen, is important to be on top of your game and making sure you are doing the right things, and that motivation slowed down a little bit - I'm not going to lie - this summer.

"It's almost like I was listening to my body and the signs, and it's almost like it was telling me that you're not really missing any workouts, you haven't been on the ice for a long time, and you haven't really had the itch to get back…I just knew it was time.

"You have to listen to your body, eventually…20 years is a lot of hockey, a lot of games, and obviously, the game is physically very demanding. It takes a toll on your body. No major issues, but there's obviously some aches and pains from the past that kind of reminds me when I wake up in the morning. So, I think it's just time to let that heal and move on."

It was all of that hard work and dedication, of course, that made Bergeron a prime example of how to be a professional both on the ice and in the community.

"What I've always tried to do is be a good role model for kids and younger generations, for my kids but also for anyone that watched the Bruins or a game," said Bergeron. "And it was always important for me to be a good example and lead that way on and off the ice. I think the community work was really important for me. I've met so many amazing people throughout the years and it's pretty special.

"I think the one thing I'll definitely say is, I left everything out there. I have no regrets on anything. I gave my all. But to be remembered, I hope it's more the connections and the way I was trying to get to know people personally. To me, that's what matters most."

As does the next group of Bruins leadership picking up the baton.

"Obviously, it's a lot of guys that built that culture and how we want things to kind of be around the locker room and being inclusive and what not. Also, not just with the players but also with everyone kind of surrounding the team that's involved in the day to day," Bergeron said when asked about Charlie McAvoy's remarks that he would "promise he'd do everything to keep good care of" the culture that's been built.

"It means a lot - and I know these guys will be great. Chucky, he's a character guy and a very bright young man, so they're in great hands with all of these guys in leadership. It wasn't me, it was also them and the guys before me like [Zdeno Chara] and the rest of that crew."

Wait, There's More

• Bruins president Cam Neely said "it's a no brainer, really" when asked if Bergeron's No. 37 would be raised to the TD Garden rafters. The B's president added that the club will "figure out a time to do that, but he's certainly earned that."
• Neely also said that he "would love to see [Bergeron] stay involved with the organization, there's no question," but is going to leave that on Bergeron's timeline.
• The Bruins president said that no discussions have been had regarding who will succeed Bergeron as captain.
• When asked about adding to the center position from outside the organization, Neely said the team "will do whatever we can to bolster the position."