*Photo from NHL.com*
Another member of the Spoked B is calling it a career. Longtime Boston Bruins center David Krejci announced on Monday morning that he is retiring from the NHL after over a decade and a half in the league.
Krejci's statement said "After 15 full NHL seasons I have decided to retire from the best league in the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cam Neely and Don Sweeney for allowing me to take my time with my decision and announcement. I also want to thank the Jacobs family and the entire Bruins organization for believing in me over and over again and giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing family for so many years."
All of Krejci's NHL career has been with the Bruins. He returned to the team last year on a one year, $3 million contract after spending the 2021-2022 season playing in Czechia. Now, he's officially hanging up the skates in both North America and Czechia.
Last season was another productive year for Krejci at age 36 and 37. He ended the regular season with 16 goals and 40 assists for 56 points, averaging 17:12 of ice time in 70 games for the Bruins. He added one goal and 3 assists in 4 playoff games.
Krejci said in a statement that "When I was drafted in 2004, I had no idea that I would be working with such incredible and driven people who would lead us to three Stanley Cup Finals, and winning the ultimate goal in 2011. 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."
In his career, Krejci has been the model of consistency for the Bruins. He has surpassed 50 points in a season 9 different times and 60 points 6 times. His 73 points in 2008-2009 and 2018-2019 are a career high, as is his 23 goal seasons in 2011-2012 and 2016-2017.
Often considered a 1B in the Bruins center chart behind Patrice Bergeron, Krejci ranks 5th in Bruins history in games played and assists, 13th in goals, and 11th in game winning goals. He served as an alternate captain for the last 9 seasons.
Krejci played 16 seasons in a Bruins uniform, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and the Presidents Trophy in 2013-2014 and 2019-2020. He has 231 goals and 555 assists, averaging 17:50 of ice time while posting a +166 rating in 1,032 regular season games. Krejci added 43 goals and 85 assists in 160 playoff games.
When the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011, Krejci led the team in goals with 12 and assists with 23 in the playoffs that year in 25 games. 19 of his points came at even strength and 6 came in the Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks.
All time, Krejci has 128 points in the playoffs, tied with Bergeron and Brad Marchand for second in Bruins history, trailing only Ray Bourque. Krejci is second in assists in the playoffs behind only Bourque and 6th in goals. He led all playoff point scorers in the league twice in his career.
This offseason, both Krejci and Bergeron have retired, with the Bruins also losing Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, Tomas Nosek, and Connor Clifton in free agency.
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