Hall of Fame defenseman Zdeno Chara‘s number 33 went to the TD Garden rafters on Thursday evening.
It was the latest honor for the Boston Bruins legend and one of hockey’s most respected figures. But Chara’s AHL connections also run deep, and they continue today with Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
Chosen in the third round of the 1996 NHL Draft by the New York Islanders, the 6-foot-2 Chara, the tallest player in NHL history, arrived in the AHL for the 1997-98 season. With just one year in the Western Hockey League, it turned out he needed a lot of seasoning as well. That season, the Islanders sent their prospects, including Chara, to the Kentucky Thoroughblades in a dual tie-in with the San Jose Sharks.
Chara, then 20 years old, played 48 games with Kentucky, a team that also finished second overall in 1995 Andrei Zyuzin on the blue line alongside the future Sharks star goaltender Yevgeny Nabokov. Chara went to the AHL All-Star Classic in 1998 and was ultimately named to the AHL All-Rookie Team alongside a who’s-who of future prominent NHL names like Daniel Briere, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Brendan Morrison And Marc Savard. He also played his first 25 NHL games with the Islanders, making his debut on November 19, 1997 in Detroit.
It was the start of a 25-season journey through professional hockey that came full circle when he ended his career with the Islanders in 2022.
Before Chara’s second season, the Islanders had secured their own AHL affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, and Chara again needed additional development time. With 23 more games in the AHL with Lowell, he was ready to leave for the NHL to stay.
When it all ended, he had 1,680 regular season games with the Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Bruins and Washington Capitals. He led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup championship in 2011. Three times as an NHL First All-Star Team choice (plus four more selections to the Second All-Star Team), he was also the second-longest captain in Boston history. With the sport in Boston at its peak for much of his time in the city, he became one of the symbols of its success.
Last summer the call came from Toronto. Chara entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. His oeuvre was not limited to the NHL either. He represented Slovakia seven times at the IIHF World Championship and three more times at the Winter Olympics, as well as twice competing in the Hockey World Cup. Last year he was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. As captain, a lot of attention was paid to Boston’s locker room culture for stars, journeymen, rookies and call-ups alike. Together with another organizational figure and AHL alumnus, Patrick BergeronBoston’s welcoming environment became as defining as everything that happened on the ice.
“I was really wide-eyed, as far as I can remember, when I first met him,” Boston defender Charlie McAvoy told BostonBruins.com. “I just came from Providence; I got drafted. We had practice and then we went to Ottawa. When I met him, I called him ‘Mr. Chara,’ and he said, ‘Don’t do that. Call me Zee.’
“He just has that larger-than-life personality.”
That’s who the Bruins want to help mentor, guide and teach their prospects in Providence. That’s why they appointed Chara as their advisor and mentor for hockey activities last September 25.
Boston has a long history of working closely with the organization after their playing days ended, starting with team president Cam Neelygeneral manager Don Sweeney and head coach Marco Sturm. Former Bruins forward Chris Kelly is an assistant coach. Adam McQuaidwho played at Providence before graduating to Boston, is the organization’s director of player personnel. AHL Hall of Famer Dennis Bonviewhose playing days included time with both Boston and Providence, is the organization’s director of pro scouting. Dean Malkoc, PJ Axelsson, Brett Harkins, Milan Jurcina And Matt Lindblad all dressed in black-and-gold before heading to Boston’s scouting department.
Chara became the newest addition to that group, taking on somewhat of an all-encompassing role. One of Chara’s strengths as a player was his ability to communicate and develop relationships, and those skills are something Boston highlighted when announcing his new role after playing.
Part of that work also included working with potential clients in Providence. It was another successful season for the P-Bruins, who are competing for first place in the Eastern Conference with their 25-8-0-1 record this season. That mix of winning and dedication to development has sent a long list of players to Boston after time in Providence. Strong leadership in Providence has long been an organizational priority with a highly respected captain Patrick Brown leading an experienced group of mentors.
And if a young player has a few questions about fitness, Chara is certainly someone who can give advice. Famous for his dedication to fitness as a player, his career has included running marathons and Ironman competitions since his retirement.
This role marks a return to hockey after taking three seasons off the ice to map out a plan for his future. As he approaches his 49th birthday in March, Chara’s presence is welcomed in Providence.
“Chara is a big part of our group now,” the Providence head coach said Ryan Mougenel.
It can easily be that the standard of an organization begins to shift as the players who have maintained it for so many years move on and retire. Boston has worked to prevent that by having people like Sturm, Kelly and other alumni actively working in key roles to pass on those values to the next generation of Bruins. Chara is the latest step in that direction.
“There’s a certain standard,” Mougenel said in explaining that approach, “and I think it just works… it’s a great environment to be in as a player.”
And despite the seemingly endless list of accomplishments on Chara’s resume, he has quickly adapted to Providence’s coaching staff and roster. He’s a Hockey Hall of Famer, but at the same time, just one of the bunch.
“He’s extremely modest,” Mougenel said, “but extremely detailed.”
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