By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
The Boston Bruins selected 18-year-old Patrice Bergeron 45th overall in the 2003 National Hockey League. He made the immediate jump from junior hockey to join the Bruins and quickly cemented his place with the team.
Bergeron notched his first National Hockey League goal in just five games, helping the Bruins secure a 4-3 victory against the LA Kings. This was the first of many, totaling 427 goals across the expanse of his storied career, including 81 game-winners. The center further went on to achieve 613 assists, racking up 1040 points over the course of 1294 games played.
Throughout playoff performances, Bergeron earned 128 points (50G, 78A) with 10 game-winning goals. These tremendous efforts brought home the Stanley Cup in 2011, scoring the final goal against the Vancouver Canucks in game seven. He cites it as one of his proudest accomplishments.
The Quebecois player became famed for his complete style of play, able to navigate both the offensive and defensive demands of the game with exceptional intelligence. His two-way ability earned him a record-breaking 12 nominations for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward with the best defensive skills. He won six times, further establishing his legacy as one of the greats.
With such versatility, the 6’1”, 196-pound center was a quick selection for international competitions. He helped Team Canada win two Olympic golds in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, adding the accolades to his World Championship success. This makes Bergeron a rare member of the Triple Gold club, and he was almost inevitably inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame earlier this year in May.
Bergeron served as captain of the Bruins from 2021 until his retirement in 2023, after 19 seasons in black-and-gold. He built a culture of trust and togetherness, also recognizing his role as a catalyst for the team’s long-term growth as they chose to rebuild their roster around him instead of Joe Thornton.
This decision resulted in sustained competitiveness and respect, with the impact of his leadership still reverberating today. David Pastrňák referenced Bergeron when he was named the 28th captain of the Boston Bruins, highlighting the feel he had “for the players, for the humans” and the value of this genuine care.
The connection was further felt off-ice, with Bergeron noted for his extensive charity work across Quebec and New England. This includes establishing Patrice’s Pals in 2005 to host pediatric patients and their families at Bruins home games, and his public support of anti-discrimination legislation that helped pass public accommodation protections for transgender residents in Massachusetts. In recognition of his philanthropy and community work, the state named December 17, 2022, as Patrice Bergeron Day.
Bergeron remains a beloved figure and an icon, both to the franchise and fans alike. Boston celebrates his induction into the Player Category of the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend, and the honors will continue with his jersey number 37 set to be retired in December. Having played in Boston for 19 years, there’s no question as to why his influence continues to endure.
The love is returned. When speaking about his Hockey Hall of Fame induction, Bergeron said, “I am very proud to say that I was a Boston Bruin for my whole career. [The fans] helped me so much. They’ve supported me for forever, my whole career. The passion that they brought, you could feel it all the time. […] What an amazing fanbase, and what a blessing to be a Boston Bruin.”
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