The Boston Bruins honored Zdeno Chara by retiring his No. 33 at TD Garden, marking the defenseman’s lasting legacy. Chara, a 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, spent 14 seasons in Boston and captained the team to a Stanley Cup in 2011.

Thursday night’s ceremony saw Chara’s number raised alongside legends like Larry Bird and former Bruins icons. His 1,680 games as a defenseman are the most in NHL history. The 6-foot-9-inch Czech is also known for his record slap shot and leadership during a pivotal rebuild.

Former teammates and Bruins brass praised Chara for transforming team culture. Bobby Orr and Raymond Bourque attended, linking Chara to Boston's defensive lineage. His family joined him in pulling the ropes, a moment he called more meaningful than any personal accolade.

Chara’s impact extended beyond stats. He represented durability, class, and a championship mindset that influenced a generation of Bruins players and reshaped the franchise’s trajectory through the 2010s.