French Hockey Star Bellemare Retires After Final Olympic Game

40-year-old forward played 700 NHL games and represented France internationally for over a decade.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, a 40-year-old French hockey forward, played his final game for the French national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics. After a storied career that included over 700 NHL games and numerous appearances for France at the IIHF World Championships, Bellemare is retiring from international competition. His teammates and opponents, including former NHL goaltender Philipp Grubauer, paid tribute to Bellemare's leadership and character following the game.

Why it matters

Bellemare's retirement marks the end of an era for French hockey, as he was one of the country's most accomplished and respected players of the modern era. His long NHL career and international experience helped raise the profile of hockey in France and inspired the next generation of French players.

The details

In his final Olympic game, Bellemare scored a goal against his friend and former NHL teammate Philipp Grubauer, who was playing in goal for Germany. Despite the loss, Bellemare's teammates and opponents praised his character and leadership, with Grubauer saying it was an "honor" to play against him. Bellemare will now finish out the season with his Swiss club team, HC Ajoie, before retiring from professional hockey.

  • Bellemare played his final game for the French national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 17, 2026.
  • Bellemare will retire after the 2022-23 season, ending a 700-game NHL career that spanned from 2014 to 2024.

The players

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare

A 40-year-old French hockey forward who played over 700 games in the NHL and represented France in numerous international competitions, including the Olympics and IIHF World Championships.

Philipp Grubauer

A 34-year-old German goaltender who played with Bellemare on the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken in the NHL. Grubauer faced off against Bellemare in his final Olympic game for France.

Yohann Auvitu

A 36-year-old French defenseman who briefly played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers from 2016-2018.

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What they’re saying

“Ha … I was emotional shaking Pierre-Edouard's hand. I wanted to give him a hug. He's such a good player. He's had a fantastic career, but he's also an incredible person. It was a pleasure to play against him. I played with him for a long time at the NHL level, and it was an honor to be his teammate. He's a true leader.”

— Philipp Grubauer (nhl.com)

“Pierre received a lot of hugs at this tournament. He deserves all the love he gets. He is a respected player not just in France, but also internationally.”

— Yohann Auvitu, France defenseman (nhl.com)

What’s next

Bellemare will retire after the 2022-23 season, ending his professional hockey career.

The takeaway

Bellemare's retirement marks the end of an era for French hockey, as he was one of the country's most accomplished and respected players of the modern era. His long NHL career and international experience helped raise the profile of hockey in France and inspired the next generation of French players.