Bruins to – The Boston Bruins announced Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 will be retired during the 2026-27 season, honoring a 19-season career spent entirely in Boston.
When Patrice Bergeron walks past the TD Garden tunnel in 2026-27, the view won’t be just banners and banners of past glory. It will include his own number—No. 37—set to be retired by the Boston Bruins.
The club confirmed the forward’s jersey will be raised during the upcoming 2026-27 season. cementing a legacy that has already defined much of modern Bruins hockey. In a statement. Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs praised Bergeron’s 20 years with the franchise and called him the “ultimate professional. ” noting a rare mix of leadership. integrity. humility and class that he carried both on and off the ice.
“He always set the standard on and off the ice. ” Jacobs said. framing Bergeron as not only one of the best players in the game. but a model for the next generation of Bruins. “As one of the greatest to ever wear the Black and Gold, it is only fitting that his No. 37 makes its way to the Garden rafters.”.
Bergeron’s career is almost impossible to separate from the Bruins themselves. After being taken 45th overall in 2003, he spent his entire 19-season NHL career with Boston, finishing with 1,294 regular-season games. In that span. he produced 427 goals and 613 assists. reaching the 1. 000-point mark as the fourth player in franchise history to do so.
The totals only deepen when viewed in Bruins-only terms. The now 40-year-old ranks third in franchise history in games played, goals and points, while sitting fourth in assists. His 14 20-goal seasons are the second-most in Bruins history. He also leads Boston all-time in shootout goals with 25.
Retirement doesn’t blunt the numbers—if anything, it makes them feel heavier. Bergeron was the fourth-team captain in Bruins history to captain the club from 2020 to 2023. and in his final NHL season he led Boston to the Presidents’ Trophy. The Bruins posted an NHL single-season record of 65-12-5 in wins and finished with 135 points. Bergeron closed that season with 27 goals and 31 assists for a plus-35 mark that led all Bruins forwards.
If Boston’s modern identity has a backbone, it’s been Selke-caliber responsibility. Bergeron took home the Selke Trophy a record six times—2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022 and 2023—and was nominated in 12 consecutive seasons. Face-off dominance was part of the same story: he ranks third all-time in league history for face-off wins with 14,837.
The postseason chapters add their own weight. Bergeron helped the Bruins win their franchise’s sixth Stanley Cup in 2011 and returned for two more Final appearances in 2013 and 2019. He shares the NHL record for the most Game 7 appearances (14) with Zdeno Chara. In Bruins playoff history. he ranks second in franchise history with 170 playoff appearances. and his 128 postseason points (50 goals. 78 assists) are tied for third all-time in Boston.
Even his selection—45th overall in 2003—reads differently now. The path from L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., to the rafters has always been about more than production. Bergeron made sure of that in his response to the news, calling the honor “difficult to put into words.”
“To have my number retired by the Boston Bruins is an honour that is difficult to put into words,” Bergeron said. “When I arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old, I could never have imagined receiving this recognition one day.”
He credited the people around him, saying his success was only possible because of teammates, coaches and staff, and thanking an organization that “believed in me from the very beginning.” He also expressed gratitude to his family for the sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dream.
For Bergeron, the feeling wasn’t just personal—it was communal. He specifically thanked fans across New England for welcoming him as a young French Canadian and for making the city feel like home. He said every time he stepped onto the ice. he felt “the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the Spoked-B. ” and that he always tried to represent the organization and community the right way.
Jacobs’ statement framed the number retirement as a message sent forward. and Bergeron’s own remarks made clear how much he sees it that way too: “I am especially grateful to my family for the sacrifices they made that allowed me to pursue my dream. This honour belongs to all of them as much as it belongs to me.”.
The Bruins’ decision also places No. 37 among an elite line of retired numbers. It will be the 14th number to be retired in franchise history. joining Chara (33). Willie O’Ree (22). Rick Middleton (16). Cam Neely (8). Terry O’Reilly (24). Ray Bourque (77). Phil Esposito (7). Johnny Bucyk (9). Bobby Orr (4). Milt Schmidt (15). Eddie Shore (2). Aubrey Clapper (5) and Lionel Hitchman (3).
For a player who spent his NHL life in Boston’s colors, the final chapter feels fitting. Bergeron ended his remarks by saying he will cherish the idea that No. 37 “will forever be part of that history” for the rest of his life.
By 2026-27, the Garden rafters will hold one more number. And in Boston, it won’t be just another retirement night—it will be a reminder of what Bergeron gave the franchise every day he played.
Patrice Bergeron Boston Bruins No. 37 retired 2026-27 season Selke Trophy Stanley Cup TD Garden rafters NHL
About time. No. 37 deserves the rafters for sure. I feel like Bergeron was always in control.
Wait so they’re retiring it during 2026-27?? That’s like 2 years away. I thought they already did this or something. Also does it mean no one else can wear 37 even in minors or just the NHL?
I’m confused because I saw somewhere he only played like 15 years? But then this says 19 seasons and 1,000 points or whatever. TD Garden tunnel?? Like that’s where they do the announcements? Either way, man, the guy was a machine.
Bruins already retiring numbers every other week it feels like. But honestly Bergeron is one of the few who didn’t act weird. I’m glad they’re doing it, even if I kinda wish it was sooner because younger players need hype now, not in 2026. Charlie Jacobs sounds like he wrote the nicest press release ever too.