Pierre-Edouard Bellemare Played 700 NHL Games and Nobody in the Emerald City Is Ready For What It Means

Woah, okay, hold up. Did you guys hear the news? Forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, the absolute warrior who rocked the ice for our Seattle Kraken not so long ago, has officially called it a career. Like, for real. After a staggering 700 NHL games across 10 seasons, the dude is hanging up his skates. This is a tough one to swallow for anyone who loves the grit and veteran presence he brought, especially to our squad. What a run, right?

The Ultimate Competitor's Incredible Journey

Can we just appreciate that number for a second? Seven hundred games. That's a ton of hockey, a ton of battles, and a ton of heart. Bellemare played for five different teams over his decade in the league, and we had the privilege of seeing him in the green and blue during the 2023-24 season. Think about that longevity. The man was 41 years old when he retired, still giving it his all. Throughout his impressive career, he racked up 138 points, split between 64 goals and 74 assists. Plus, he posted a fantastic plus-22 rating. He kicked things off with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2014-17, then moved on to the Vegas Golden Knights from 2017-19, followed by the Colorado Avalanche from 2019-21, and the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2021-23, be

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fore joining our Kraken. It’s wild to think Vegas snagged him with their 12th pick in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, knowing he'd be a key part of multiple squads for years to come.

A Legacy Etched in History

But here’s the kicker, the stat that truly makes Bellemare a legend: he played the most games by any French-born player in league history. Yeah, you read that right. Most. Ever. That's a record that's going to stand for a long, long time, and it speaks volumes about his dedication and skill. Beyond the regular season, he was a beast in the postseason too, playing 85 games, tallying five goals and 10 assists. The guy was a clutch player when it mattered most, even if the ultimate prize eluded him. He came so close to lifting the Stanley Cup twice, with the Golden Knights losing to the Washington Capitals in 2018, and then again with the Lightning falling to the Avalanche in 2022. Talk about heartbreak, but also what an incredible testament to being on competitive teams! So, what’s next for the Kraken, who will step up with that kind of experience now gone? It's a moment to reflect on Bellemare's career and the impact he had, even if it was a shorter stint with us. He brought a veteran presence and an undeniable work ethic that any team would kill for. We'll certainly miss seeing that number 41 flying around the ice.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.