Overview
- Bellemare announced his retirement in a trio of social posts confirmed by the NHL on Thursday, June 18, 2026, bringing a formal close to his playing career.
- He reached the NHL at age 29 and spent 10 seasons with five clubs—Philadelphia, Vegas, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Seattle—before returning to Europe to play in Switzerland.
- Across 700 NHL games he registered 64 goals and 138 points and compiled roughly 615 hits and 502 blocked shots, with five goals and 15 points in 85 playoff contests.
- After leaving the NHL he played two seasons for HC Ajoie in Switzerland and tried one last comeback on a Colorado Avalanche professional tryout in September 2024 but did not earn a contract.
- Bellemare finished his career as captain of Team France at the 2026 Olympics, leaving a legacy as the most‑experienced French‑born NHLer and a model for late‑blooming European players seeking roles built on defense and physical play.