Number 33 is heading to the TD Garden rafters. The Boston Bruins announced on Monday that they will retire Zdeno Chara's number in a ceremony before their game on Jan. 15 against the Seattle Kraken.
This was obviously just a matter of time given Chara's place in franchise history. Chara served as captain for all 14 of his seasons in Boston, led the team to its first Stanley Cup in 39 years in 2011, and won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman in 2009.
Chara signed with the Bruins as a 29-year-old free agent in July 2006, and would prove to be the greatest free agent signing in franchise history. Just months after the team had traded away Joe Thornton, Chara immediately reset the Bruins' culture and went to work on molding the team in his image, preaching hard work and accountability while providing a menacing defensive presence on the ice.
In a press release, the team released the following statements:
Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs:
"The Rafters are a fitting home for 33, because there will never be another Zdeno Chara. 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."
Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs:
“There is no greater embodiment of what it means to be a Boston Bruin than Zdeno Chara. 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.”
Bruins president Cam Neely:
“From the moment he arrived in Boston in 2006, Zdeno Chara brought with him an unmatched presence, combining size, strength, and skill with a leadership style that elevated everyone around him. Zdeno set the standard with his professionalism, his legendary work ethic and his fierce competitiveness, and he did it all while representing our organization with the utmost class. As someone who has experienced what it means to have your number hanging in the rafters, I can say without a doubt that Zdeno’s No. 33 belongs there. It will serve as a permanent reminder of his place as one of the greatest Bruins of all time.”
Zdeno Chara:
“It is truly beyond words to see my jersey, number 33, raised to the rafters at TD Garden. This honor is greater than anything I could have imagined when I first came to Boston. 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. This moment is not just mine – it belongs to all of us.”
Chara will become the 13th Bruin to have his number retired, and the first since Willie O'Ree's 22 went to the rafters in Jan. 2022. He will be the first from the post-Bourque era of the Bruins.
Chara also played five seasons for the New York Islanders, four for the Ottawa Senators, and one for the Washington Capitals during his remarkable 24-year career. His 1,680 career games played are the most ever by a defenseman, and rank seventh among all players.
Chara currently serves as a hockey operations advisor and mentor for the Bruins.