Bruins legend Zdeno Chara reflects on getting his No. 33 retired

Zdeno Chara’s resume speaks for itself. 

Over 14 seasons with the Bruins — all with a “C” switched onto his sweater — Chara anchored Boston’s blue line whereas serving to to domesticate a tradition whose vestiges are nonetheless woven into the material of this present roster.

Chara helped lead Boston to its first Stanley Cup in 39 years in 2011, whereas captaining his membership to a different two Stanley Cup Closing appearances in 2013 and 2019. 

He closed out his profession with probably the most video games ever performed by a defenseman in NHL historical past, whereas his 14 Sport 7 appearances are tied for probably the most in league historical past alongside his longtime Bruins teammate, Patrice Bergeron.  

Add in a Norris Trophy win in 2008-09 — to go together with eight different top-five finishes within the voting for the league’s prime defenseman — and it comes as little shock that the 48-year-old Chara will earn a spot within the Hockey Corridor of Fame in November. 

Just some months later, his No. 33 jersey will also be raised to the TD Garden rafters in recognition as one of many pillars of this Authentic Six franchise.

However for all that he has achieved throughout the span of his profession with Boston, Chara was candid Monday when requested when he thought he’d see No. 33 positioned alongside different greats above the TD Backyard ice like Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, and Eddie Shore. 

“I imply, that’s one thing — that’s not what you’re enjoying for,” Chara mentioned. “You’re enjoying to win, enjoying to get championships. The main target is strictly on profitable and championships, you aren’t actually specializing in your self and being recognized this manner and being. … So I wasn’t actually eager about that.

“I used to be extra centered on doing what I may do and assist the staff. And, like I mentioned, profitable —  that’s all we care about.”

It was a becoming response for a participant whose presence on the ice as a 6-foot-9 imposing defenseman additionally carried over into the dressing room because the tone-setting and steadying voice for a Bruins franchise on the upswing. 

As beneficial as Chara was as a minutes-eating, defensive equalizer for Boston, it was his position in build up a profitable tradition alongside youthful gamers like Bergeron that allowed Boston to stay entrenched as a contender for greater than twenty years — even after he left the staff in 2020. 

For Chara, who was named captain earlier than even enjoying his first recreation with Boston, step one towards constructing a contender has to contain getting gamers to purchase in off the ice. 

“I knew the historical past and what this staff had in a few years earlier than I arrived,” Chara mentioned. “And also you attempt to embrace it, and in addition acknowledge that you’re not going to be — I’m not going to be Bobby Orr. I’m not going to be Ray Bourque. However on the similar time, I knew that I needed to be myself and lead my method. 

“And do it in possibly other ways than they did earlier than, nevertheless it’s nonetheless within the type of that id and construction that this staff had for a very long time. In order that’s what I did. I used to be simply actually embracing that position and tried to steer the staff, my teammates, in that path. And it was numerous enjoyable, nevertheless it took the entire staff. Once more, it took dedication from all people.”

That method has carried over towards this staff, particularly with gamers who skated alongside Chara like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Sean Kuraly. 

“It’s well-deserved from him and household and every thing he’s completed for hockey, not solely over right here however again residence in Czechia and Slovakia,” Pastrnak of Chara. “I feel he was and remains to be an idol for a lot of, many younger gamers. It’s very well-deserved. I can’t anticipate the evening. I can’t wait to see him rejoice together with his household. Nicely-deserved and never shocking.”

Chara will look to assist Boston’s prime gamers proceed to ascertain their very own management hierarchy transferring ahead in his official position as the team’s hockey operations advisor and mentor. 

As he mirrored on his 14 years with Boston, Chara as soon as once more brushed apart discuss when requested of a singular second that outlined his time with the Bruins. 

On script, he as an alternative deflected to the collective effort put forth by a few of the groups he captained. 

“It’s laborious to essentially decide a defining second for myself. I feel all of us witness completely different gamers sacrificing in numerous instances, and that’s additionally a part of the id that we created. … However for my part, I simply did what I needed to do. What I felt was the correct factor to do. And what I like to do. I’ve a lot ardour for it. I simply did my job.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.