Zdeno Chara put the city of Boston on his back for years. His leadership resulted in Stanley Cup glory, and he earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
That’s why the Bruins are retiring No. 33.
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“There is no greater embodiment of what it means to be a Boston Bruin than Zdeno Chara,” Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said. “Zdeno brought a special brand of leadership to the Boston Bruins by challenging and empowering his teammates every day.
“Over his 14 years as a captain, Zdeno helped define Boston Bruins hockey with his drive for on-ice excellence and sportsmanship, along with his off-ice commitment to serve the greater Boston community.”
Here’s a breakdown of Chara’s career in Boston, from top moments to what he meant to the team.
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Zdeno Chara’s impact on the Bruins
As soon as he joined the Bruins, Chara was the undisputed leader of the team.
The second-longest tenured captain in Bruins history behind Ray Bourque, Chara led the Bruins to the postseason 11 times. He racked up 481 points (148 goals, 333 assists) in 1,023 games in Boston, landing on the Bruins’ top-10 list for games played.
Current and former Bruins players have praised Chara for setting an example and always putting the success of the team above individual accolades.
“He helped me grow so much, on both sides really, just by learning how to play a responsible game,” Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. “Which is how you play in this league for a long time. It’s how you become reliable to your teammates. And in a way, it’s how you lead.”
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As Patrice Bergeron noted, Chara always played with “so much passion and energy,” forcing his teammates to bring the same level of focus and intensity to practices and games.
“You just feed off that and follow that lead,” Bergeron said. “As a teammate, he’s a great one to have. You see the intense side of him on the ice, but off the ice, he’s a genuine person, someone who wants to help out and wants to be there for the guys and teach the younger guys.”
Zdeno Chara’s defining moments
Though Boston was in rebuilding mode at the time of his signing, it didn’t take long for Chara and the Bruins to become a contender in the Eastern Conference.
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Chara finally won the Norris Trophy in 2009 after being named a finalist multiple times. He scored a career-high 19 goals during the 2008-09 season, finishing with 50 points.
Two seasons later, Chara helped Boston snap a long championship drought. The Bruins beat the Canucks in seven games to capture the Stanley Cup with Chara leading all players in total ice time (182:39).
Though the Bruins didn’t win the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, Chara received a huge ovation ahead of Game 5 against the Blues after he returned to the ice despite suffering a broken jaw in Game 4.
What No. 33 retirement means
Chara is being honored for his contributions to an incredible era of Boston hockey. A rebuilding period turned into championship glory when Chara and the Bruins won their first title since the 1971–72 season.
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The retirement of No. 33 cements Chara’s legacy as an all-time great captain and Bruin.
“The rafters are a fitting home for 33, because there will never be another Zdeno Chara,” Bruins owner Jeremy M. Jacobs said. “From his skill, size and physical dominance on the ice, to his leadership in the locker room and impact on the Boston community, Zee is a legend of the game and the ultimate Bruin.”
