His 22-year pro career was highlighted with Norris Trophies and All-Star games, but Raymond Bourque achieved his top goal in winning the Stanley Cup. As the highest scoring defenseman in NHL history, Bourque will be regarded as one of hockey's greatest players.

Here are your thoughts on Bourque's retirement and favorite memories of No. 77:

Bourque's love of hockey will be missed
Thank you, Ray for being my idol. It wasn't your athletic ability, but rather your determination and class which I idolized. You are the type of athlete and person that is lacking in all of sports today. Not once did I ever read about you complaining about money while in Boston or in Denver. Can you say Alexei Yashin or Michael Peca? Imagine Ray Bourque ever sitting out a season over money. This is guy that had to be dragged off the ice. He played for the love of the game and the fans and his family. My hockey career is long gone but when I think of it, I will always remember Ray and the class he brought to the game and to the city of Boston.

Jeffrey
Worcester, Mass.

	“	Consistent, classy, tenacious, unselfish, punishing, talented, etc. ... There will never be another like him, or even close. ”
		— Craig, Orlando, Fla.

Bourque never lost a step
He was a symbol of class, hard work, determination and above all, a leader. On and off the ice this man was so influential to the people who follow the sport of hockey. He never once put himself ahead of the team -- even as the undeniable MVP of the Bruins for two decades. Ray was so special to watch because he was so consistent. In a 20-year span, Ray Bourque never once took a step back. He came into the league as an All-Star, and that's the way he left. His most memorable goal might be the game winner in the All-Star game held at the FleetCenter in Boston. I can only thank Ray Bourque and his family for all the happy moments they have given me, and I wish Ray the best of luck in his next endeavor. Thanks, Captain.

Matt
Charlestown, Mass

Not everybody loves Raymond
Thank God he is finally retiring. Maybe the love fest can stop and we don't have to hear about "Win one for Ray" anymore. I am glad he won his Cup, but I am tired of hearing about it. I doubt that I am alone in this.

Michael
Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Move to Colorado discredits Stanley Cup win
Ray Bourque is a great player and by most accounts, a good guy. However, I view his Stanley Cup achievement as overrated. It is the equivalent of Roger Clemens going to the Yankees to finally win a World Series or Deion Sanders going to the 49ers to win a Super Bowl. A true great athlete is one who goes to a struggling franchise and helps take it to a championship -- Michael Jordan, Troy Aikman, Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky. Ray Bourque is not in that class. Furthermore, unlike other superstars like Gretzky, Bourque often selfishly refused to play in international tournaments for Canada. For Canadians like myself, this is unforgivable.

Scott
Houston

Ray was one of a kind
Raymond retires as the most complete player the game has ever seen. He is no Gretzky, but Wayne never played in the corners for 35 minutes a game. He even retires as a FIRST-TEAM ALL-STAR! Consistent, classy, tenacious, unselfish, punishing, talented, etc. ...There will never be another like him, or even close. I watched at least 75% of the games Ray ever played, and this guy never took a shift off. He is a role model for anyone that ever picks up a hockey stick, and anyone that wants to look up to a professional athlete who is humble enough to know that the game is bigger than he is.

Craig
Orlando, Fla.

Ray was the greatest defenseman ever
I believe that Ray Bourque is the greatest defenseman to ever play in the National Hockey League. His drive and determination got him to the Stanley Cup playoffs last year, and while the Avalanche lost in an early round, he came back this year with just as high spirits. I believe that this was what made Ray Bourque so special to watch. I am only 16, and I was not even watching hockey when it happened, but my favorite memory of Ray Bourque, #77, was when he gave up #7 so Phil Esposito could have his number retired in Boston. Ray is an inspiration and a role model for all of the children growing up playing hockey today. It is every defenseman's dream to have as great of a career as Raymond Bourque but only few will achieve it. I would just like to be able to thank him for the 10 years of great hockey that he has given me. It is an honor to play the sport that he plays.

Michael
Peoria, Ill.

Bourque made the game look easy
Ray Bourque holds his place as one of the top three defenseman ever to play the game. Ray exhibited such consistent grittiness combined with a unique and exceptional scoring touch. He moves the puck with ease and makes the perfect passes in the neutral zone -- he makes it all look like I or you could do it. When he does make mistakes, he seems to redeem himself by hustling back to cover an open guy or swatting of the puck out of the air against L.A. in the 2001 playoffs. He carried himself with such high class and dignity, and I envy every aspect of his character and game. His playing time was mind-boggling.

Kevin
Cleveland

	“	When he lifted that Cup, I thought to myself that all your dreams and everything you ever wanted badly could be yours. ”
		— Andrew, Winthrop, Mass.

Bruin fans still applauding
Being a long time Bruin fan, the greatest thing I ever saw in my life was Ray Bourque lifting the Stanley Cup. It didn't matter for who. I even slipped up on the night of Game 7 when I told my friends we had to get back home for the Bruins game. Being a hockey player and a defenseman myself, how could I not look up to Ray Bourque in every single thing he did? If his career had ended without the Cup, he still would have been one of the greatest defensemen, player, and person ever to lace up the skates. But that one moment in time when he lifted that cup, I thought to myself that all your dreams and everything you ever wanted badly could be yours, At that one moment, tear in my eye, I knew that not only was Ray a role model, but my personal hero.

Andrew
Winthrop, Mass.

Ray's win cheapened by trade to Avs
It pains me to see people laud his getting a Stanley Cup by being a rent-a-player. It makes the league look cheap, and reinforces the need to move up the trade deadline to about January 1. Had he won a cup in Boston, I would have been happy for the guy and the city. This result is ... embarrassing.

Branden
Cleveland

Stanley Cup was capper for Bourque
I feel in my heart that Ray is making the right decision. Although he will be missed around the league and in Colorado, this caps off a fantastic career. Too many times you see players that should retire, stay in the game. Their skills diminish and then we are left with painful memories of how their final years went. Ray was able to play hard through his entire career and make a name for himself in the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He is considered by many (including myself) to be the best defensemen to ever grace the ice with his presence and abilities. He was especially special to watch, because of what he stood for. Hard work and determination were clearly in his blood and watching him chase the Cup was terrific. My favorite memory of Ray Bourque is and always will be the night he won the Stanley Cup.

Nick
Everett, Wash.