After spending 15 NHL seasons, all with the Boston Bruins, center David Krejci announced his retirement on Monday.
Almost a month after Patrice Bergeron decided to call it quits, Krejci has decided to do the same after reuniting with Boston this past season after spending a year in his native country of Czechia. He racked up 231 goals and 555 assists (786 points) in his 1,032 career games with the Bruins. In his final campaign, he registered 16 goals and 40 assists in helping to lead the team to the most wins and points in NHL regular season history. A master of consistency, Krejci eclipsed the 50-point mark nine times as a Bruin and surpassed the 60-point plateau on six occasions. He also hit the 20-goal benchmark four times. Krejci’s best statistical seasons came in 2008-09 and 2018-19 when he amassed 73 points. The second round pick in 2004, also netted a career-high 23 tallies in 2011-12 and 2016-17. He was instrumental to the Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship in 2011, leading the team with 12 goals and 23 points – including 19 at even strength – in 25 contests. Six of those points came in the Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. His 128 points in 160 postseason games is tied for second in franchise history with Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
“After 15 full NHL seasons I have decided to retire from the best league in the world,” Krejci said. “I have been very lucky to be on so many good teams and play with so many great players. I have made so many great friendships throughout the organization. You have always been there for me whenever I needed something and I will always be here for you. To my teammates – I have been very lucky to be on so many good teams and play with so many great players. You always start as coworkers but end as friends, and I’m so proud to have met some of my closest friends over the years. That’s the best part about our sport. Thank you to all the coaching staffs I was lucky to have in my career – I was coached by some of the best coaches in the world. I want to thank the media – I really appreciate all of you even if I don’t like speaking too much … I will miss you. And to Bruins fans and the city of Boston – THANK YOU. You have always treated me with nothing but respect and I will be forever grateful. I will miss playing in front of you, but I am and always will be a Bruin”.
Story by Chris Lessner
