NHL: Veteran Goaltender Jonathan Bernier Announces Retirement After 14 Seasons

Jonathan Bernier - Boston Bruins v New Jersey Devils

(Photo : Elsa/Getty Images) NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - Jonathan Bernier (#45) of the New Jersey Devils clears the puck in the third period against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on November 13, 2021, in Newark, New Jersey. The Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2.

Veteran goaltender Jonathan Bernier announced that he would be walking away from hockey.

404 NHL games and Jonathan Bernier's (@jobernier45) putting the pads away. 👏

We wish you all the best in retirement! pic.twitter.com/hL4qG7A5GU
— NHL (@NHL) August 21, 2023

In a post on Instagram, the 35-year-old said it was time for him to hang up the pads. He thanked each of the six teams he played for in the NHL for allowing him to play in the world's top professional ice hockey league.

"There are no words to express my gratitude to everyone who has been part of my hockey journey since day one, without all of you I couldn't have done it," Bernier said, proceeding to thank his wife, kids, and family for the constant support during his playing career.

Bernier played in the NHL for 14 seasons and over 400 games since the Los Angeles Kings selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The goalie initially spent time with the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate Manchester Monarchs before getting recalled by the Kings in 2010.

Bernie was part of the Kings team that won the Stanley Cup during the 2011-12 NHL season.

Finally the #1 option

Spending most of his career as a backup goalie, he was finally named the main option when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013. He continued to have that role until 2016 when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

Spells with the Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, and most recently, the New Jersey Devils followed.

The Stanley Cup winner last appeared in the NHL with the Devils in 2021-22.