One of the biggest questions the record setting, reigning President’s Trophy winning Boston Bruins faced this offseason was regarding the future of captain Patrice Bergeron. That question has been answered, though it’s not the answer Bruins fans were hoping for. After 1,464 games split between the regular season and postseason, Bergeron announced he is retiring.

Bergeron spent his entire illustrious career with the Bruins. He was drafted by the Bruins in the second round of the legendary 2003 draft class. Ever since, Bergeron has developed a legacy few have attained. He ranks third in franchise history in games played, third in goals, fourth in assists, third in points, sixth in plus-minus, fourth in even-strength goals, fourth in power-play goals, fourth in shorthanded goals, and second in game-winning goals.

His name is etched in Bruins history for a variety of reasons, but arguably the most important one is helping the Bruins end their Stanley Cup drought in 2011. Bergeron had six goals and 20 points in 23 games. His 20 points were second on the team only to fellow center David Krejci.

His legacy extends past the Boston Bruins, though. Bergeron retires as the most decorated two-way center in NHL history. The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded each season to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. Bergeron has won the award a record six times, twice more than former Montreal Canadiens forward Bob Gainey. Moreover, he was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy in each of his last 12 seasons and finished in the top five in each of his last 14.

Bergeron’s commitment to defense is impressive. That isn’t to say his offense wasn’t good. He was consistently good, in fact. Bergeron never averaged fewer than 0.50 points per game and only once averaged under 0.60 points per game. However, Bergeron only notched at least 70 points thrice in his career. Defense is where he truly shined.

This was perhaps most evident in the faceoff circle. In his final season, Bergeron led all NHL forwards in faceoff wins with 1,034. His 61.1% faceoff win percentage was the highest among all forwards who took at least 1,000 faceoffs. Bergeron led the NHL in faceoff wins in not just his last season, but his last three seasons. Whenever the Bruins needed to win a key faceoff, Bergeron was usually the one who answered the call.

Bergeron’s legacy extends past the NHL as well. He had a remarkable international career representing Canada. It all started at the 2004-05 World Juniors, where Bergeron led the tournament in points. On a roster which featured Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Shea Weber, and Andrew Ladd, it was Bergeron who shined the brightest, as he was named the tournament MVP. That same year, he impressed in the AHL as a 19 year old with 61 points in 68 games.

If winning the Stanley Cup wasn’t the proudest moment of Bergeron’s career, it surely came in 2010 or 2014 when he helped Canada win the gold medal in Olympic hockey. Asked to serve in more of a defensive role, Bergeron was more than happy to oblige, often facing the toughest defensive assignments, which allowed his teammates to take advantage.

Bergeron’s leadership is an undeniable part of his legacy as well. He might have only served as the Bruins official captain for three seasons, but he never really needed the “C” to be a leader. Bergeron dutifully served as an alternate captain under fellow Bruins legend Zdeno Chara for most of his career.

My personal favorite part of his legacy is his title as the greatest analytics darling. Hockey has been a bit slower than the other major sports when it comes to embracing analytics. Bergeron is a perfect example of why analytics are so important. They helped fans realize just how elite Bergeron was. Whatever metrics you prefer to use when evaluating players and possession, chances are Bergeron’s close to the top, if not at the top. Rarely has the eye test and analytics test matched up perfectly as they did with Patrice.

Most importantly, Bergeron has a legacy of winning. If there’s a team award a hockey player can win, chances are a team with Bergeron on it has won it. Whether it’s a World Juniors championship, a Stanley Cup, a World Cup of Hockey title, or an Olympic gold medal, Bergeron’s teams won. They won because he was willing to do whatever it took to win, even at the sacrifice of personal glory.

Bergeron’s career will lead him to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He should be inducted the first year he’s eligible. Bergeron is not just one of the best defensive forwards of all-time, but also one of the best players. His number 37 will rise to the rafters of the TD Garden in the near future.

-Flava Dave

*Featured Photo Courtesy of The Boston Globe*