Zdeno Chara has carried the city of Boston on his shoulders for years. His leadership has brought him Stanley Cup glory and earned the respect of his teammates and opponents.
That’s why the Bruins retired No. 33.
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More: How to watch the Zeno Chara number retirement ceremony
“Zdeno Chara is the epitome of what the Boston Bruins are about,” said Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs. “Zdeno brings a special kind of leadership to the Boston Bruins by challenging and empowering his teammates every day.
“In his 14 years as captain, Zdeno helped define Boston Bruins hockey with his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship on the ice, and his commitment to serving the Boston community off the ice.”
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Chara’s career in Boston, from his prime moments to what he means to the team.
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Zdeno Chara’s impact on Bruins
Once he joined the Bruins, Chara became the undisputed leader of the team.
Charla is the second-longest-tenured captain in Bruins history behind Ray Bourque, who led the Bruins to the playoffs 11 times. He played 1,023 games with Boston and scored 481 points (148 goals, 333 assists), ranking among the Bruins’ top 10 players in games played.
Current and former Bruins players praised Chara for setting an example and always putting the team’s success before personal glory.
“He’s helped me grow a lot, both on both sides and learning how to play a responsible game,” Bruins guard Charlie McAvoy said. “That’s how you play in this league for a long time. That’s how you become reliable to your teammates. That’s how you lead, to a certain extent.”
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As Patrice Bergeron noted, Chara always brought “enthusiasm and energy,” forcing his teammates to apply the same focus and intensity in practices and games.
“You just feed off that and follow that lead,” Bergeron said. “As a teammate, he’s a great guy. You can see his fierce side on the ice, but off the ice, he’s a genuine guy, a guy who’s willing to help, willing to help his teammates and teach the younger guys.”
Zdeno Chara’s decisive moment
Although Boston was in the midst of a rebuilding phase when he signed, it didn’t take long for Chara and the Bruins to become contenders in the Eastern Conference.
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Chara finally won the Norris Trophy in 2009 after being a finalist multiple times. In the 2008-09 season, he scored a career-high 19 goals and finished with 50 points.
Two seasons later, Chara helped Boston break its long championship drought. The Bruins defeated the Canucks in seven games to capture the Stanley Cup, with Chara leading all players in total ice time (182:39).
Although the Bruins didn’t win the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, Chara returned to the ice after suffering a broken jaw in Game 4 and received a standing ovation before Game 5 against the Blues.
What does it mean to retire number 33?
Chara was honored for his contributions to an incredible era in Boston hockey. The rebuilding period turned into championship glory when Chara and the Bruins won their first championship since the 1971-72 season.
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The retirement of No. 33 cements Chara’s status as an all-time great captain and Bruin.
“The Rafters is the right home for a 33-year-old because there will never be another Zdeno Chara,” Bruins owner Jeremy M. Jacobs said. “From his skills, 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.”