Goaltender Jonathan Bernier announced his retirement on Monday following 14 seasons in the National Hockey League.
The 35-year-old netminder made the announcement via his Instagram, sharing a statement on his plans to hang up his skates.
“There are no words to express my gratitude to everyone who has been part of my hockey journey since Day 1,” Bernier’s post reads in part. “Without all of you I couldn’t have done it.”
The Laval, Que., native was drafted 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2006 and came into the league with enormous anticipation, experiencing success early in his career as a backup to Jonathan Quick.
Bernier also won a Stanley Cup in 2012 with the Kings while serving as Quick’s understudy, however the youthful netminder ultimately did not see any game action during Los Angeles’ surprising championship run.
The following season, Bernier was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a controversial trade, forming a solid — if often hot-button — tandem alongside James Reimer. While the club missed the postseason in all three of his years in Toronto, Bernier did experience the most successful seasons of his career in the Blue and White, including a .922 save percentage in 55 games in 2013-14.
Following his time in Toronto, the veteran moved into more of a supplementary role, primarily as a backup, with stints playing for the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, and New Jersey Devils. Bernier last played for the Devils in 2021-22 before a lingering hip injury ultimately forced him out of commission midway through the campaign.
Bernier concludes his NHL career with a 165-163-40 record with a .912 save percentage, a 2.78 goals-against average and 18 shutouts.
