Patrice Bergeron has been a staple of consistency for the Boston Bruins for 19 years since the franchise draft him in he second round of the 2003 NHL Draft.
But after the five-time Selke-winning center and his squad were eliminated from the playoffs by the Florida Panthers on Sunday night, he took a moment to say what could be goodbye as he contemplates retirement.
He hugged his Bruins teammates as they came off the ice — including a big one for Brad Marchand — before saluting the crowd for a second as he skated off to the locker room.
We’ll see if that’s indeed his last moment as Bruins player in front of fans:
Ouf… Bergeron 😢 pic.twitter.com/5r7QmpBrKx
— Marc-André Perreault (@MA_PerreaultTVA) May 1, 2023
If this is it for Patrice Bergeron, his next stop is the Hall of Fame. One of the classiest players of my lifetime. The best two-way player of the generation. One of the most likeable NHL players on one of the NHL’s most despised teams. A class act. https://t.co/C2ABMSuhDF
— Rachel Doerrie (@racheldoerrie) May 1, 2023
This image of Patrice Bergeron is absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/D69mhjSOcO
— Jason Gold (@JayGold85) May 1, 2023
Bergeron says he’ll take some time to discuss his future in the NHL with his family.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 1, 2023