Longtime Bruins forward Bergeron retires after 19 NHL seasons

Longtime Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron is retiring from the NHL after a Hall of Fame career.

A day after turning 38 years old, Bergeron announced he was retiring on Tuesday after 19 seasons in the NHL - all with the Bruins.

In a letter posted to the Bruins' official website, the team's captain wrote that he steps away with no regrets.

"For the last 20 years I have been able to live my dream every day," Bergeron said. 

"I have had the honour of playing in front of the best fans in the world wearing the Bruins uniform and representing my country at the highest levels of international play. 

"I have given the game everything that I have physically and emotionally, and the game has given me back more than I could have ever imagined.

"It is with a full heart and a lot of gratitude that today I am announcing my retirement as a professional hockey player."

The 38-year-old Bergeron was still playing at a high level last season, registering 27 goals and 31 assists in 78 games to win the Selke Trophy for a record sixth time as the league's best two-way forward.

Bergeron helped the Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup and led them to the Cup Final on two other occasions.

Selected by Boston in the second round of the 2003 draft, Bergeron ends his career with 427 goals and 613 assists in 1,294 games.

He ranks third in Bruins franchise history in goals scored, fourth in assists and third in games played.

"As I step away today, I have no regrets," he said. "I have only gratitude that I lived my dream, and excitement for what is next for my family and I. I left everything out there and I'm humbled and honored it was representing this incredible city and for the Boston Bruins fans."