According to reports, Zdeno Chara is returning to the Bruins.
However, the future Hall of Famer will not be policing Boston’s blue line this time.
Chara has returned to the Bruins’ organization in a “front office consultant’s role,” according to Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney confirmed the news to Dupont in a written statement on Wednesday.
Sweeney stated in the release, “The Boston Bruins are thrilled to be investigating the possibility of welcoming Zdeno Chara in an advisory role that supports our players and coaches.” We have been in constant communication with Zdeno and have extended an open invitation for him to return in some capacity whenever he and his family felt it was appropriate.
A Hull school staff is charged with having improper interactions with pupils.A Hull school staff is charged with having improper interactions with pupils.
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Zdeno recently expressed interest in lending a hand and getting involved. We think he can contribute positively to the company as a coach and mentor to our players, even though his schedule and position are still being finalized.
The 47-year-old Chara announced the end of his Hall of Fame career in 2022 after hanging up his skates during the 2019–20 season.
The imposing Bruins defenceman stated at the time that he intended to take a break from hockey before reevaluating any future aspirations in the sport when he signed a one-day contract to retire with Boston in September 2022.
During his retirement ceremony, Chara said, “I’m not just going to completely not follow hockey or follow the Bruins specifically.” Before I truly commit to anything, I’m simply going to take my time, spend some time at home, and see how much free time I have. It would be incredibly unjust to me, my family, and whatever hockey-related endeavors I choose.
“To commit to something without knowing I can be committed one hundred percent to that specific job or task. I simply want to enjoy spending time with my family, especially my children. I simply want to take each day as it comes. There will always be an opportunity to step in, in my opinion, if there are possibilities or anything that will come up in the future. But for now, I’m just going to take my time and see how things work out.
Since ending his NHL career, Chara hasn’t taken a break. In the most recent endurance-related trials for his 6-foot-9 body, he has participated in several marathons. Chara finished his second edition of the Boston Marathon in 2024 in what represented his seventh marathon in 12 months.
It remains to be known what Chara’s position within the organization will be moving forward.
However, Chara, who helped Boston create a responsible culture that propelled them to a Stanley Cup in 2011, would be a valuable voice for the Bruins.
In reference to creating a culture in Boston, Chara stated during his retirement ceremony, “You can’t win without that.” “You must establish a culture. You need to have players that want to follow, and it wasn’t just me. They worked as a team. …. We had people coming in eager to come from other clubs and assimilate to that culture. We pushed each other. We were okay with it even though we were practicing as hard as we could against one another.
It was difficult at first, but without the culture and without someone sowing the seeds and essentially stating that this is how things would be, we established goals and gradually started to ascend and take these steps. Although it was undoubtedly difficult and not everyone desired the change, it was essential. I believed that a change was required for this team and this company.
