Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins forward and captain, announces retirement after 19 seasons #Patrice #Bergeron #Boston #Bruins #captain #announces #retirement #seasons

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has retired.

The five-time Selke Trophy winner announced Tuesday that he will not return for a 20th season with the only team he has ever played for. The Bruins captain said he is leaving with no regrets.

Bergeron led Boston to the 2011 championship and two other trips to the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins set a record last season with the most points and wins in NHL history, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes' Max Pacioretty (67) skates against the New Jersey Devils during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. With just a $1 million increase to the salary cap in 2023 and even more expected next year, short contracts like Pacioretty's are a popular route for players and teams willing to take moderate risks and kick money down the road. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Short contracts with some including performance bonuses were popular early in NHL free agency. Players and teams all know the salary cap that went up just $1 million for a second consecutive year is set for a much bigger leap next summer.

FILE - Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic is congratulated after a Boston goal against the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Boston on Feb. 10, 2015. The Bruins brought back 2011 Stanley Cup winner Lucic as part of their bargain shopping in NHL free agency. Boston signed Lucic, fellow winger James van Riemsdyk and 2020 Cup-champion defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to contracts for next season. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

The Boston Bruins brought back 2011 Stanley Cup winner Milan Lucic as part of their bargain shopping in NHL free agency.

FILE - Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) skates with the puck during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers, April 21, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Hall in a trade with the Bruins, Monday, June 26, 2023, putting the veteran forward in line to play with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft once again. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired Taylor Hall in a trade with the Boston Bruins. The Blackhawks sent pending restricted free agents Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula to Boston for Hall and veteran Nick Foligno.

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy speaks during a news conference after Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. The Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Bruce Cassidy has won the Stanley Cup as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights. The triumph comes nearly two decades since he was fired from his first NHL job with the Washington Capitals.

Bergeron has 427 goals and 613 assists in 19 seasons — all with the Bruins, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft. Since then, he has established himself as the league’s dominant two-way forward and one of the most respected players in the game, winning the Selke for a record fifth time last season as the league’s best two-way forward.