BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It was quite the surprise for the six-foot-nine tall Zdeno Chara at TD Garden, when Boston Bruins President Cam Neely told him that his old number 33 would be retired and hung up in the rafters this winter. Neely called Chara down and pointed to the rafters, telling him that his jersey will be there come January 15.
"I was wondering like 'am I in trouble, a week into the job? But— wow, I don't know what to say," Chara said in a behind-the-scenes video capturing the surprise. Chara joined the Bruins staff in September, working in the front office.
In a conversation with WBZ's Drew Moholland, National Hockey League Hall of Famer and fellow former Bruins captain Ray Bourque says "Big Z" deserves all the glory.
"I think that he's very proud and humble to be a part of that group up there. For me, all the special moments— he's got a long career, he's got a lot to think about. Big Z, when he got here, got the culture back to what the Bruins are all about. I think he led by example, his work ethic, his passion, how he prepared— legendary in terms of his work outs, how he treated his teammates, and how he led the way for them." Bourque said.
The retirement ceremony will take place ahead of the Bruins and Seattle Kraken game on January 15. Chara will be the first European player to have his number retired by the Bruins.
Chara retired from the National Hockey League in September 2022, signing a one-day contract with the Bruins. He won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, a team that brought home the cup for the first time since 1972.
WBZ NewsRadio's Drew Moholland reports.