Defenseman Zdeno Chara ended his professional hockey career on Tuesday, signing a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins to officially retire from the team for which he has long excelled.
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The 45-year-old Slovak was the oldest active player in the National Hockey League (NHL) before that day. Since the end of a seven-year, $45.5 million contract in the summer of 2018, he has signed one-year agreements to continue his career marked by winning the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2010- 2011 and obtaining the James-Norris trophy in 2008-2009.
Obviously, due to the years and the wear and tear related to the injuries of yesteryear that weighed on him, he had been playing a more subdued role for a few seasons. However, there are other reasons justifying his choice to leave.
“The biological age of your body will always be there, you can’t deny that. I knew where I stood on this side, but it is not the main reason for my retirement. Above all, I wanted to be at home with my family. In the last two years, I was constantly outside and it was too much for me, he said at a press conference. First, I felt the time was right to step down. It is important for me to be there with the children, present at special occasions and birthdays. I knew it was the right decision and I’m happy. I have no regrets.”
“After 25 professional hockey campaigns, 1,680 regular season games, 200 Stanley Cup playoff games and hundreds of international duels, I am proud to announce my retirement from the NHL. By doing this I am honored to return to TD Garden […] to end my career with the club having meant so much to me and my family. There are so many people who have contributed to my success, including all of you, and I want to thank you,” he wrote on his Instagram account earlier in the morning.
Chara wore the Washington Capitals uniform in 2020-2021 and the following year that of the New York Islanders, the formation with which he made his debut in the circuit in 1997-1998. In his last campaign, he had 14 points in 72 outings. The 6-foot-9 athlete tallied 680 points, including 209 goals, on league rinks.
A new role?
Asked what the future holds for him, Chara doesn’t rule anything out.
“I’m not going to completely walk away from hockey and the Bruins in particular,” he admitted. I’ll take my time, I’ll go home to see what free time I have available. Currently, I cannot commit to anything. To do otherwise would be unfair to myself, my family and those to whom I make promises. I don’t want to commit without being sure that I can do it 100%, regardless of the position or the task.”
“Right now, I mostly want to enjoy getting together with my family and taking the days one at a time,” he continued.
