Bruins Announce Historic Zdeno Chara News on Monday

Team president Cam Neely said Chara’s professionalism and leadership defined the modern Bruins era, with the towering blueliner playing in Boston from the 2006-07 season through 2020 and winning one Stanley Cup title in that time.

“From the moment he arrived in Boston in 2006, Zdeno Chara brought with him an unmatched presence,” Neely said. “Zdeno set the standard with his professionalism, his legendary work ethic and his fierce competitiveness. His No. 33 belongs in the rafters and will serve as a permanent reminder of his place as one of the greatest Bruins of all time.”

Chara said the announcement meant more than he ever expected when he first joined Boston.

“It is truly beyond words to see my jersey, number 33, raised to the rafters at TD Garden,” Chara said. “This honor is greater than anything I could have imagined when I first came to Boston.

Added Chara: “I am forever grateful to the Bruins organization for trusting me to lead, to all my teammates past and present, to the fans whose passion and energy made Boston feel like home, and to my family who made everything possible.”

Chara played 14 seasons with the Bruins, leading the team to three Stanley Cup Final appearances and a championship in 2011. His number will be the 13th retired in franchise history and the first since Willie O’Ree’s No. 22 in 2022.

The franchise's social media team released a video of the moment Chara learned of the jersey retirement.

Now part of the front office, Chara will continue working for the franchise that defined his career for the most part, and most notably, his legacy in Boston.