Boston, Massachusetts: Patrice Bergeron Enters the Hockey Hall of Fame
The former Bruins captain received his plaque from Zdeno Chara in Toronto on Monday night, and his No. 37 goes to the TD Garden rafters on December 1.
Key points
- Patrice Bergeron entered the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night, November 9, taking his place among the game's greats at the induction ceremony in Toronto.
- Bergeron thanked Chara, his longtime winger Brad Marchand, and the Boston fans who filled his 19 seasons.
- Bergeron played all 19 of his NHL seasons in Boston after the Bruins drafted him 45th overall in 2003.
Patrice Bergeron entered the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night, November 9, taking his place among the game's greats at the induction ceremony in Toronto. The former Boston Bruins captain was the first member of the Class of 2026 introduced, and he received his plaque from Zdeno Chara, the 2025 inductee who captained the Bruins before him and was his longtime teammate.
Bergeron thanked Chara, his longtime winger Brad Marchand, and the Boston fans who filled his 19 seasons. "Being part of that history is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life," he said in his speech, which he closed with a few words in French. He also thanked Bruins fans directly for their passion and for making the journey so special. Current Bruins captain David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy were in the room, along with Marchand, Ray Bourque, Bruins president Cam Neely, head coach Marco Sturm and general manager Don Sweeney. The ceremony, hosted by James Duthie and aired on NHL Network, concluded at 9:57 p.m. Eastern.
The record that got him there
Bergeron played all 19 of his NHL seasons in Boston after the Bruins drafted him 45th overall in 2003. He played 1,294 games, third in team history behind Bourque at 1,518 and Johnny Bucyk at 1,436, and scored 1,040 points on 427 goals and 613 assists. He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and became the team captain in 2021.
His six Selke Trophies as the league's best defensive forward, won in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022 and 2023, are an NHL record. He also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2021 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2013. The Bruins announced on Monday morning that his No. 37 will be retired on December 1, before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at TD Garden, with a gold carpet entrance at The Hub on Causeway starting at 4 p.m.
The Class of 2026
Bergeron entered the Hall alongside goaltenders Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, forward Keith Tkachuk, women's hockey pioneer Cindy Curley, and Brian Burke, who was inducted in the builder category. Price received his plaque from Shea Weber, and Rinne received his from David Poile, the executive who drafted him. Curley is the sixth American woman inducted into the Hall of Fame.
For Boston, the night closed a run of honors for the core of the 2011 champions. Chara entered the Hall in 2025, and Bergeron's number retirement on December 1 gives Bruins fans a second ceremony at home before the year ends.
Timeline
- 2003The Boston Bruins draft Patrice Bergeron 45th overall. He goes on to play all 19 of his NHL seasons in Boston.
- 2011Bergeron and the Bruins win the Stanley Cup.
- Nov 9, 2026Bergeron is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto as part of the Class of 2026. Zdeno Chara, his former captain, presents his plaque. The Bruins announce the same morning that his No. 37 will be retired on December 1.
- Dec 1, 2026The Bruins retire Bergeron's No. 37 at TD Garden before a game against the Colorado Avalanche.